Phil Marsh was on top of the world on the morning of January 14, 2004. The 17-year-old had played at Old Trafford for the first time the night before, in Manchester United’s FA Youth Cup win against Manchester City. “I was flying,” says Marsh, who had gone up an age group already, had captained the Under-18s and had made his debut for the reserves. Within hours his world would come crashing down.
The teenager had been with United for six years and since going full-time when he turned 16 his progress had been “amazing”, culminating in that Manchester derby in front of a crowd that included Sir Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane. Twenty-four hours later Marsh was fighting for his life, never mind his career.
“For any young player, especially being a United supporter myself, playing at Old Trafford was the pinnacle before playing in the first team. That night was amazing, to come on and have a hand in one of the goals and win that game, it was an amazing experience,” Marsh told the Manchester Evening News .
