Three became household names, but the story of the fourth man from Man United’s iconic 2011 FA Youth Cup final photo has remained a mystery to fans… 👀
A well-known photograph from the 2011 FA Youth Cup final shows four Manchester United players celebrating their victory, three of whom went on to achieve considerable fame, with Paul Pogba being the most recognized.
Pogba initially left Manchester United in 2012 to join Juventus, returning in 2016 for a then-record transfer fee of £89 million. His second spell at United was marked by moments of excellence, but he struggled with consistency and left the club again in 2022, returning to Juventus on a free transfer. Unfortunately, injuries and off-field issues have plagued his return, and he now faces a possible four-year suspension due to a failed drug test.
Jesse Lingard, another player in the photo, spent time on loan at several clubs, including Leicester City and West Ham United, before establishing himself at Manchester United. After a successful loan at West Ham, Lingard left in 2022 and signed with Nottingham Forest for the 2022/23 season. Currently, he plays in South Korea’s K League for FC Seoul, having signed a two-year deal earlier this year.
Ravel Morrison, once regarded as one of United’s brightest prospects, struggled to live up to expectations. After leaving United for West Ham in 2012, his career took him to Lazio, Sheffield United, and various other clubs, with numerous loan spells in between.
The fourth player, often overlooked, is Ryan Tunnicliffe. He had loan spells at Peterborough United, Barnsley, and Ipswich Town before permanently moving to Fulham in 2014. His career included loan stints with Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers, followed by a move to Millwall in 2017. Tunnicliffe later played for Luton Town and Portsmouth in 2019 and 2021, and he now plays for Adelaide United in Australia’s A-League.
