Tyler Blackett was tipped to become a Manchester United great when he made his debut a little over a decade ago, but now he has been without a club for 12 months
17:10, 14 May 2025
Tyler Blackett in action for Man United
Tyler Blackett has been without a club for over a year now(Image: 2014 Getty Images)
Little over a decade ago, a young Tyler Blackett trotted out onto the Old Trafford turf for his first taste of action with Manchester United.
Now at 31, the centre back stands at a career impasse – without a club and no competitive footy since Rotherham United let him go after the 2023/24 season. Once tipped to be a mainstay in United's defence, Blackett ended up carving out a decent run in the Championship when he didn't cut it at the Theatre of Dreams.
His current situation, though, is miles away from the bright prospects of his early days. "How I've been? Okay," Blackett told Flashscore earlier this year. "It's not been easy by any means, it's something which I've not had to deal with in my career before. Some days better than others.
"But I'm just getting through - staying fit and training. Just keeping on top of things and doing what I can do to be ready when the right opportunity comes. It's about waiting for the right fit now."
Blackett's story began at eight years old when he joined United, the club he grew up supporting. He dreamed of following in the footsteps of defensive legends like Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. He shot up the ranks in the academy, impressing with his mix of power and comfort on the ball.
Come 2014, with both Ferdinand and Vidic on their way out, an opportunity emerged. The new manager, Louis van Gaal, taken with Blackett's pre-season performances, swiftly promoted him to the first team.
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Louis van Gaal and Tyler Blackett
Louis van Gaal saw great potential in Tyler Blackett
"Van Gaal was great for me," Blackett said. "He obviously had trust in young players and gave you that confidence by giving those outlines and what he expected from you.
"That's what you had to focus on, and that helped me at that time. He was a manager who gave me an opportunity, and I have always praised him and thanked him for that."
Blackett clocked up 12 first-team showings under Van Gaal's wing in his debut season, hinting at the talent he possessed. When he penned a fresh deal in 2015, Van Gaal reaffirmed his faith.
Tyler Blackett, Tom Cleverley, Antonio Valencia, Juan Mata, Darren Fletcher, Wayne Rooney, David de Gea, Wilfried Zaha and Michael Keane
Blackett (far left) was once tipped to become a Man United great
"Tyler has great potential and I believe he is at the right club to continue his development and progression to become a great defender," said the Dutch coach. Those words sparked hope that Blackett might be the next big thing to come out of United's academy.
The following season saw Blackett shipped off to Celtic on loan, with the aim of bagging some top-tier playtime to gear up for a crack at United's main squad. But in Glasgow, things went a bit pear-shaped.
Blackett found himself warming the bench or awkwardly filling in at left-back, which knocked his confidence and form. He returned to Manchester a shadow of the hopeful lad who'd headed north.
Tyler Blackett in action for Celtic
Blackett's disappointing loan spell at Celtic scuppered much of his momentum(Image: X01095)
When Jose Mourinho took the reins in 2016, it was curtains for Blackett. Mourinho didn't share Van Gaal's enthusiasm for the youngster, letting him slip away to Reading without a whiff of action in the senior side. And just like that, Blackett's Red Devils dream bit the dust.
Blackett, after showing flashes of his early potential at Reading, Nottingham Forest and across the pond with FC Cincinnati, found himself wrestling with consistency once more.
In 2023, he joined Rotherham and clocked up 23 appearances in the 2023/24 season, bringing some much-needed stability to a squad dodging the drop. Despite his efforts, Rotherham's woes ended in relegation to League One, and Blackett was let go, finding himself without a club for the first time in his pro career.
Blackett in Reading gear
Since leaving United, Blackett has turned out for Reading, Nottingham Forest, FC Cincinnati and Rotherham United(Image: Get Reading)
His stint in Yorkshire was solid but highlighted a career that never quite hit the same peaks as his days at United. Under Van Gaal, he was tipped for stardom – a local lad with all the makings of a top-tier player. Yet, football's a harsh mistress.
Disappointing loans, a revolving door of coaches, and shaky confidence can knock even the most promising off their stride.
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Blackett's dozen outings for United stand out in a journey that, while honourable, didn't live up to the hype of 2014. Now training solo and on the lookout for the "right fit," Blackett's tale is a stark reminder of the game's razor-thin lines.