Former Manchester United youngster Joe Riley: Moves into insurance sales and refuses to dwell on the past

According to the Manchester Evening News, former Manchester United youngster Joe Riley now plays semi-professional football while working in insurance sales.

Ten years ago, Joe Riley made his first Manchester United start alongside Marcus Rashford. Today, the once highly rated left-back has left full-time football and started working in an office.

Riley, then 19, played as a left-back under Louis van Gaal in Manchester United's Europa League match against Danish side Midtjylland. He played 79 minutes and received a standing ovation from the Old Trafford supporters when he was substituted in his European debut.

Coincidentally, Rashford also made his first start for Manchester United in that match, scoring twice and beginning his top-level professional career. Since then, Rashford has made more than 400 professional appearances and has played 78 times for England.

Riley played alongside Rashford, Napoli player Scott McTominay and Crystal Palace player Dean Henderson in Manchester United's U18 team. Today, he works in insurance while continuing to play semi-professional football. Although their career paths have been completely different over the past decade, Riley has no regrets.

Speaking to the media, Riley said: "I lived with McTominay for six years, and Marcus and I also grew up together through the academy. These people are like family to me."

"Of course I would have liked to play more games for Manchester United, but things did not work out that way. I do not dwell on the past; I am just happy that I had that experience."

"I have opened the door to the next chapter of my life and I am also developing another career, preparing for my future."

That season, Rashford continued to play for Manchester United, including helping the team defeat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley. Riley did not make another first-team appearance for Manchester United.

Riley recalled: "I played very well in that game, but I remember thinking at the time that it might be my last first-team appearance because Rojo and Luke Shaw were returning from injuries."

After Van Gaal left in May 2016 and Jose Mourinho took over, Riley continued training with the first team and was appointed captain of the U23 side. However, injuries began affecting his career in 2017.

Riley left Manchester United at the age of 21, having made only two first-team appearances. Afterwards, injury problems led him to gradually move into lower divisions in England. During one period of rehabilitation, he decided to prepare for a new career.

Riley grew up in Lytham, Lancashire, and joined Manchester United at the age of six. He now plays for Warrington Rylands in the seventh tier of English football. The team will face Hyde United in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup.

The 29-year-old Riley ended his full-time playing career after spells with Fylde and Tamworth. He now works for a company in Sale, near Manchester, as a financial protection adviser, selling life insurance, income protection insurance, critical illness insurance and accident insurance, while continuing to play in non-professional leagues.

Riley said: "I am really enjoying my life now. Like many players, I was afraid of moving from full-time football to semi-professional football, but my work now gives me a great sense of achievement. I joined Warrington Rylands this summer and I am really enjoying playing here."

"I have started taking exams and hope to become a wealth management adviser, helping clients with investments and pensions. I do not want to return to full-time football, even if I had the opportunity, because I have spent a long time preparing for life after football."