Luca Ercolani has reflected on the injury struggles he experienced at Manchester United, which ultimately led to his exit in 2021.
In 2016, Luca Ercolani joined the Manchester United Academy from Italian club Forli.
The centre-back was highly rated for his technical ability, but his development was tragically derailed by severe injuries, preventing him from ever graduating to United’s first team.
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Perhaps the highest point for Ercolani at United was signing his first professional contract with the club. This showed that the club saw a potential future for him before his development was hampered by a succession of serious injuries.
Ercolani left United in 2021 when his contract expired. He returned to Italy and has since played for clubs like Carpi, Carania, Didelis Andria, Alessandria, Foggia and Pianese.
Luca Ercolani training with Manchester United U23s
Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images
Luca Ercolani reflects on injury struggles at Man Utd
Ercolani played for United’s U18 and U23 teams during his time in Manchester.
Speaking to Corriere Romagna, Ercolani opened up about his time at United – from signing his first professional contract, dealings with Jose Mourinho and having horrible luck with injuries.
“I signed a three-year contract with a two-year extension,” Ercolani said.
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“Mourinho saw me as a good fit, but unfortunately I suffered two injuries. In the third year, I broke a metatarsal in my foot, which kept me out for three months.
“The following year, after the first four games, I underwent surgery in London due to a torn cruciate ligament in my knee. It was the Covid period, and my absence was prolonged.”
The injuries proved costly as United made it clear they wouldn’t renew Ercolani’s contract, and he was left with no other choice but to return to Italy to continue his career.
“When I returned, the club made it clear they wouldn’t renew my contract, so I jumped at the first opportunity, returning to Italy to play for Carpi, who had just been relegated from Serie B.”
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Luca Ercolani has no ill-feelings towards Man Utd
Sadly, injuries are part of football and a lot of players are extra unlucky with them.
Ercolani picked up a series of injuries during his key development years, but he only had positive words to say about his time at Old Trafford.
He added: “The English experience was a learning experience, and not just on a footballing level. I was part of a club with incredible facilities and an extraordinary footballing culture.
“I remember being part of the Academy, and we trained with double sessions every day. I was fortunate to have an experience of this calibre.”