Manchester United are set to appoint David Horseman as the new assistant manager of their Under-21 side.
The highly regarded coach has reportedly agreed a deal with Manchester United and will be working as an assistant to current manager Travis Binnion.
Horseman has previously coached at Bristol Rovers and Southampton’s U21s, as well as most notably managing Forest Green Rovers in 2023.
Horseman set to join Manchester United following role at Bristol Rovers
Although being a relatively new manager, having only taken his first senior managerial role in 2023, David Horseman is well-respected within coaching circles.
Now Football Insider have reported that the former Forest Green Rovers man is set to join the Red Devils as the assistant to Travis Binnion, their Under-21s manager.
Horseman was most recently a first-team coach under Bristol Rovers manager Inigo Calderon, having been a caretaker manager of the then League One side following Matt Taylor’s dismissal last December.
Upon relegation to League Two, David Horseman departed the Memorial Stadium, announcing on LinkedIn that he was “seeking a new role,” and the club told Bristol Live “, The club can confirm that Dave Horseman has left his position. The club will confirm changes to the coaching department in due course.”
He held a longer position as the Forest Green Rovers manager, lasting five months at the club. Horseman was sacked in December of the 2023/24 season, winning just seven out of 29 matches, drawing six and losing 16.
Manchester United’s productive academy
The change of role from a first-team manager in 2023 to an Under-21s assistant manager in 2025 may seem like a significant downgrade, but it’s worth noting the output of **Manchester United**‘s academy in recent years.
Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo were a part of the club’s impressive Youth Cup win in 2022 and have gone on to become regular first-team players for the club. By taking a position at the Premier League side, David Horseman gets the chance to coach players who will go on to play in the top tiers of football.
It will also provide the 41-year-old a pathway to joining the first-team staff, which could further develop his skills as a coach and manager, improving his reputation and allowing him to get head coach roles at a higher level than he has previously worked at.