JOSH HARROP appeared to have the world at his feet when he scored on his Manchester United debut back in 2017.
Now aged 27 he finds himself without a club following a series of injuries and unfortunate circumstances.
Following an impressive season with United’s academy, he was handed a start in their final day Old Trafford clash with Crystal Palace six years ago.
It was a dream day for the Stockport-born starlet, who latched on to Paul Pogba‘s pass to score in his side’s 2-0 win.
Just weeks later he shocked United by turning down a new deal in order to chase regular first team football.
He signed for Preston in the Championship, going on to play 95 times for them, scoring 13 goals.
An ACL injury kept him out of the majority of the 2018-19 season, although he managed eight goals in all competitions upon his return the following campaign.
Harrop was handed a new three-year deal at Preston in 2020, although he would not see it out.
After falling out of favour at Deepdale he was loaned to League One Ipswich in January 2021, failing to score and registering just one assist in 15 outings for the Tractor Boys.
The following January he was loaned to Fleetwood Town, where he would manage to just five appearances.
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With it becoming clear that he would not be able to force his way back into the team at Preston, Ryan Lowe’s side released him from his contract in September 2022, with the boss admitting: “We just felt that it needed to come to a conclusion.”
Harrop subsequently began training with Northampton and was able to earn a contract with the League Two side.
Upon signing in December 2022, he admitted: “It’s been a difficult few years to be honest. I went to Preston with really high hopes but it was a rocky road there, sometimes it was really good, other times it wasn’t so good.
“But that’s football, it happens. I had a few loans and some injuries here and there. Nothing crazy, but little things which slowed my progress.
“That’s why, when I left Preston, I wanted to focus on my body and get myself right so I could go and do what I know I’m capable of and that’s where I feel like I am now.
“I spoke to my agent and we didn’t want to rush into going somewhere else straightaway. I wanted to take a bit of time to work on myself and work on my body so I don’t pick up these little injuries.”
Unfortunately injury issues limited him to just two brief substitute appearances as the Cobblers were promoted.
At the end of last season Northampton confirmed that they would not be offering Harrop a new deal.
He continued to train with them in the summer and even appeared in pre-season friendlies, but did not earn a contract.
And with the summer window having shut, the former United wonderkid remains without a club.
His former Man United academy team-mate Demetri Mitchell still believes in his old pal’s talent, and can’t believe he doesn’t have a club.
Mitchell, now plying his trade with Exeter City in League One, tweeted last week: “How many players that don’t have clubs and how good they are is crazy Roshaun Williams and Josh Harrop some of the best I’ve seen growing up and even delivered in the champ a few seasons ago.”
