Man Utd debut partner to Rashford, Joe Riley now builds career in insurance at 29

Joe Riley stepped onto the Old Trafford pitch on the same night as Marcus Rashford, earning a standing ovation on his Manchester United debut against Danish side Midtjylland in the Europa League in February 2016. Ten years later, the two former academy team-mates could hardly be living more different lives.

Rashford, who scored twice that evening, has since made more than 400 professional appearances, earned 78 England caps, and scored 156 goals across spells at United, Aston Villa and Barcelona, representing his country at three World Cups. Riley, then 19 and playing at left-back under Louis van Gaal, played 79 minutes before being substituted to warm applause — and never appeared for United’s senior side again.

The Preston-born full-back came through the academy alongside Rashford, Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay and Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson. He told BBC Sport that those relationships remain close to him. “I lived with Scott McTominay for six years, and Marcus and I also came through the academy together,” Riley said. “These people were like family to me. Of course I would have liked to have played more games for United but things didn’t work out like that. I don’t dwell on the past — I’m just happy that it happened.”

Injuries began to derail Riley’s progress from 2017 onwards. He left United at 21 with just two first-team appearances, dropping down the football pyramid and having spells in the National League with AFC Fylde and Tamworth. It was during one of those injury lay-offs that he began studying for an alternative career.

Now 29, Riley plays for Warrington Rylands in the Northern Premier League Premier Division — the seventh tier of English football — and works as a financial protection advisor for a company in Sale, near Manchester, selling life insurance, income protection, critical illness and injury cover.

“I’ve now got my foot in the door for the next chapter of my life,” he said. “I’m progressing with another career that’s setting me up for the rest of my life. I’m loving it.”

Warrington Rylands face Hyde United in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday.