Manchester Evening News: 10 years ago Joe Riley and Rashford made their Manchester United debuts, now he sells insurance

According to the Manchester Evening News, a former Manchester United academy player now makes a living selling insurance, but he has no regrets.

Ten years ago, Joe Riley played as a left-back under Louis van Gaal in the Europa League match against Midtjylland. The then 19-year-old played 79 minutes in that game and received a standing ovation from the Old Trafford crowd after making his first-team European debut for Manchester United.

Coincidentally, Rashford also made his first start for the club in that match and scored twice, beginning a successful career on the biggest stage. Since then, he has made more than 400 professional appearances and earned 78 caps for England.

Meanwhile, Riley played alongside Rashford, Napoli's Scott McTominay and Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson in the U18s, and he now combines semi-professional football with a completely different career. Although their paths have gone in very different directions over the past decade, the full-back does not dwell on not achieving the same level of success as his former teammates and has accepted the next chapter of his life.

Riley said: “I lived with McTominay for six years, and Rashford and I also grew up together in the academy. These people are like family to me.”

“Of course, I would have liked to have played more games for Manchester United, but things did not work out that way. I will not dwell on the past — I am just happy that it happened.”

“I have now stepped into the next chapter of my life. I am making steady progress in another career, and this job will lay the foundation for the rest of my life.”

Rashford went on to make many more appearances for Manchester United that season, including playing in the FA Cup final victory over Crystal Palace at Wembley, while Riley never appeared for the first team again.

He recalled: “I played very well in that game, but I do remember thinking at the time that it might be the last time I played for the first team, because players like Rojo and Luke Shaw were returning from injuries.” His feeling proved to be correct.

After Van Gaal was dismissed in May 2016 and Jose Mourinho took over, the defender continued training with the first team and was appointed captain of the U23 side. However, by 2017, injuries had begun to affect his career.

Riley left Manchester United at the age of 21 with only two first-team appearances, and then moved through the lower leagues in England while dealing with injury problems. It was during his recovery from one of those injuries that he decided to learn a new profession.

The full-back 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 Northern Premier League Premier Division club will face Hyde United in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

The 29-year-old Riley is currently employed by a company in Sale near Manchester. After his National League experiences with Fylde and Tamworth, he ended his career as a full-time player. He now works as a financial protection adviser, selling life insurance, income protection, critical illness cover and disability insurance, while continuing his non-league football career.

Riley said: “I am really enjoying my life now. Moving from full-time football to part-time football was something I used to fear, and many players probably think the same way. But now my work is very rewarding, and I joined Warrington Rylands in the summer — I am very happy at the club.”

“I have started taking wealth management exams because I want to help clients manage investments and pensions. I do not want to return to playing football full-time. Even if an opportunity came in the future, I have already gone too far in preparing for my life after football.”