Former Manchester United midfielder Luke Chadwick has admitted he faced 'really big challenges' during his time at the club.
Chadwick came through United's academy and made his professional debut under Sir Alex Ferguson in October 1999. Chadwick was well regarded but eventually failed to make the grade at United after various loan spells away from Old Trafford.
Chadwick left United in 2004 with a Premier League winners medal and 38 appearances for the Reds. Now, Chadwick has opened up on the challenges that he faced at the club, which included a mental health struggle following media scrutiny.
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The academy graduate reflected on that difficult period and he also revealed his delight at his return to Old Trafford. "I faced really big challenges in my short time at Manchester United," Chadwick told BT Sport.
"Particularly with some of the attention that I received that was around the way that I looked and not the way that I played football. It affected my life in a real negative way off the pitch. On the pitch, I always felt free, I just loved playing football.
"Away from football, I didn't like leaving the house. It was challenging for me mentally. I was such an introverted young man, shy and nervous, I never had the confidence to say how this was affecting me. I didn't want to put my problems on anyone else.
"Injuries throughout my younger years took a little bit of pace away and without that, I wasn't at the level to go on to be a great United player. Playing for Cambridge against United was mad really - it was a great way to end my career.
"It was amazing going back there. I remember walking off the pitch at Old Trafford to a standing ovation and it meant so much. I didn't even know that the fans would remember who I was. It was an amazing end to my career."
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