Josh Harrop is one of a number of out of contract professional footballers playing in the Baller League
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Manchester United's Josh Harrop (second right) celebrates after scoring on his debut.
"I was a kid with a dream, and I was able to make my dream come true."
Those are the words of former Manchester United midfielder Josh Harrop as he reflects back on a debut goal against Crystal Palace on the final day of the 2016-17 season.
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The United academy graduate was given an opportunity to shine by Jose Mourinho, scoring what would be his only goal for his boyhood club.
"It's a privilege to have been able to get the opportunity to play for United and to score on my debut," he told Sky Sports. "I'd been at the club since I was six years old."
That appearance would be his only one in the Red of United, leaving the club later that summer, despite being offered a new contract at Old Trafford. Harrop made his debut at 21-years-old, something he felt should have arrived earlier after Mourinho had watched him score a hat-trick for the reserves at Old Trafford leading up to the game.
The then United boss would ask him if he was ready for the big occasion, a debut in the Premier League, to which he jumped at the chance. Harrop opened the scoring, latching onto a through ball from Paul Pogba, composing himself in the area and ignoring the run of Wayne Rooney to fire the ball into the back of the net.
Josh Harrop
Josh Harrop scored on his Man United debut in 2017
(Image: PA)
"I didn't feel the crowd. I didn't feel the occasion. I felt like I was just playing football," Harrop continued. "I was so used to doing it my whole life. When you're on the pitch, you almost forget what's around you. But the rest of the game was a blur to me.
"Even to this day, it's like a blur because all I can remember is that moment. It's probably the proudest moment of my life. I can't explain the feeling because there's no way of explaining it. It's just from six years old; I trained my whole life, I dedicated everything.
"I left home at 13 years old and lived with a different family in Sale. It's my whole journey from six years old to making my debut. To be able to score, to be able to get the man of the match, it's something I'll never forget."
Despite being given his debut, Harrop turned down the opportunity to stay at United. He said: "I didn't want to leave United. I'd just made my debut, I didn't even think about leaving.
"I asked if I was going to be involved with the first team that season and they couldn't promise it to me. I felt there might not be a future here for me.
"I spoke to people at the club and they said it might be a time to go out and build a career for yourself somewhere else. It wasn't a nice decision, but I felt it was right at the time."
Harrop would spend the next six seasons with Preston North End, before spells at Northampton Town and Cheltenham Town last season. The 29-year-old is a free agent after being released last summer and finds himself playing in the new Baller League, which is broadcast every Monday night live on Twitch, Sky Sports and YouTube.
"It's given me my purpose back in life," Harrop said when asked about his involvement in the new 6-a-side league. "Being a free agent, you lose a bit of yourself when you're not playing football. I've played football since I was six years old and for seven months, I've not been able to.
"Having the opportunity to go and play football, wherever that might be, it gives me that purpose. It gives me something to wake up and train for. A stadium like the Copper Box, which is full of people, live on Sky, it gives me something to focus on.
"My goal is I want to get back involved in football next season, and I want to hopefully sign somewhere. I'm 29 years old. I've got plenty of legs still in me. This is to keep me fit, to give me a little bit of purpose back in myself as a person and to just enjoy football.
"I've had a lot of injuries, and stressful times the last couple of years, and for me it's just a goal to express myself and have fun."
Josh Harrop (left) in action for FC RTW's in Baller League UK goes up against MVPs United's Joe Edwards.
"I'm still getting used to the Baller League," he admitted. "There are so many rules. But it's like when you were in the park and you were able to express yourself. It's enjoyable. I like the concept of it.
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"Everyone's taking it seriously as well. It's not like it's a joke. The players there, they're all serious. There's some good talent.
"With all the names and everyone around it, it brings a whole community of people together. Players express themselves. It's fast football. There's going to be plenty of goals, plenty of skills. I like the concept. I like everything around it.
"It's different. It's not in the league, and it's not 11-a-side, but it's fun."