A former Manchester United talent that debuted alongside Marcus Rashford is now working in a completely different field
james Weir coming on for Manchester United
James Weir made just one appearance at Manchester United before leaving for Hull City(Image: Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images.)
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Manchester United's 3-2 win over Arsenal in 2016 will forever be remembered as Marcus Rashford's debut - although it was also the first appearance for another academy graduate.
While it was the England star - who is currently on loan at Barcelona until the end of the season - who announced himself on the world stage with two goals in three minutes, the Old Trafford clash also witnessed the debut of James Weir.
The now-30-year-old came on as a late sub for Ander Herrera which turned out to be his only appearance for the Premier League giants. Swiftly moving to Hull City six months after that game, he made just seven appearances for the Tigers before brief stints at Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers.
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Weir's career then saw him play in the likes of Slovakia for Pohronie and ViOn Zlate Moravce and Hungary, where he represented MTK Budapest before hanging up his boots in 2024 after struggles with injuries.
The Preston-born Weir contemplated the next step of his life and after talking with a friend of his sister, he was introduced to the possibility of forming his own travel agency by being backed by company Travel Counsellors.
Marcus Rashford celebrates with team-mates during his Premier League debut in 2016
Marcus Rashford scored twice against Arsenal on his Premier League debut(Image: Getty Images)
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The idea immediately appealed to Weir, who admitted the travelling and flexibility of the potential new career was what he was looking for in his post-football life. Speaking to Manchester Evening News last year, he said: "It was around the time I had just come back from Slovakia, it was New Year's Eve, and I was speaking to one of my sister's friends who worked for this company in the head office.
"She was telling me about it, explaining that I could run my own business and that it was essentially a franchise, but you work as much as you want. I have always really liked travelling and I have been lucky enough to go to places in Europe and all around the world when I was younger with Man United.
"I went to Brazil and Singapore. I have always been one for going to different destinations which might not be on everybody's to-do list. I do enjoy that side of it and I like the idea of the freedom to run your own business.
James Weir playing for Manchester United
James Weir has since swapped football for a new career (Image: Manchester Evening News)
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"In football, you are constantly told what to do, when to do it, which is part of the game, but I like the idea of being a bit more flexible. I am really enjoying it. It is hard and it is a gradual thing, where you're building your business and your clients. But I am really enjoying it and I think I made the right decision."
Tasked with putting together lavish holiday experiences, Weir opened up about his day-to-day life as a travel agent, as he explained: "You can do literally everything. You can, for example, do Majorca for a week.
"But we are designed for the bespoke special trips where you are going from this destination to that and having a special experience which you might not have heard about. But we get constant emails and training on these sorts of things.
Manchester United celebrate Ander Herrera's goal in the 3-2 win over Arsenal in February 2016
The 30-year-old has had a successful switch away from football
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"They are more bespoke and personalised to whoever it is. They are not just off-the-shelf packages. We have a conversation, listen to what the person wants and try and create something special. It is more tailored."
Quite the far cry from the hustle and bustle nature of being a professional footballer, Weir works from home and has found a fruitful career for himself. He's certainly a role model for players who are in two minds of what their life will look like after football.