Cameron Borthwick-Jackson came through Manchester United’s academy before leaving the club after multiple loan moves in 2020.
It’s been almost six years since Cameron Borthwick-Jackson was released by Manchester United.
Born in Manchester, Borthwick-Jackson joined United’s academy at the age of six from Fletcher Moss Rangers. He went on to win the prestigious Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year award and went out on loan five times to gain senior experience.
Borthwick-Jackson spent a total of 17 years as a United player, mostly as a youthful prospect, but Louis van Gaal was responsible for giving him his debut.
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The left-back came on as a substitute for Marcos Rojo in the 76th minute of a 2-0 win over West Brom. Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata provided the goals that day, before Borthwick-Jackson would go on to make a total of 14 senior appearances for the club.
Borthwick-Jackson, 28, joined Oldham Athletic when he left United as a free agent, but he is currently playing for Macclesfield. His career has also had spells at Burton Albion and Slask Wroclaw.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson against Jose Fonte
Photo by Tom Purslow/Manchester United via Getty Images
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson opens up Jose Mourinho experience at Man Utd
Borthwick-Jackson has Van Gaal to thank for the first-team opportunities he received at United.
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The Mancunian made 14 appearances for United’s first team and all of them came under Van Gaal.
That means Jose Mourinho didn’t show much interest in Borthwick-Jackson during his time at the club. His arrival as manager to replace the Dutchman led to a complete absence for the full-back for the first time.
Speaking on the More Than A Match podcast, Borthwick-Jackson opened up on his experiences under Mourinho and how an injury led to him being sent back to the reserve team, along with Bastian Schweinsteiger.
“It was kind of a perception thing with obviously me and Marcus signing our contract on his first day, ‘that I promote youth’,” Borthwick-Jackson said.
“In a way he kind of did when he was there because obviously Scott [McTominay] got his opportunity, couple of others got their opportunities.
“But for me, when he came in, I got injured three sessions into preseason. Tore my groin.
“About two weeks into my rehab, got back into the changing room, All my stuff’s gone. Nothing in my locker, phones, gone, boots, gone, clothes, everything’s gone.
“Where’s my stuff? Back in the Reserves.
“He booted me, he booted Adnan Januzaj… Schweinsteiger was sat next to me in the Reserves training room… this is a World Cup winner.
“Nicky Butt came to me, informed me that the manager rates you but he wants you to go out on loan, get experience.
“I’m coming back from injury at this point. It’s getting towards the end of the window. Looking back, I’m probably not fit enough to go out, but I’ve gone out on loan, I’ve gone to Wolves, done well on my debut, and then next game I’m up in the stands.”
This story shows the sad reality of football times. One minute, Borthwick-Jackson felt like one of Van Gaal’s favourites, but the man who replaced him had completely different ideas.
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Borthwick-Jackson wasn’t the only player at United to get the cold treatment from Mourinho, who enjoyed a dramatic win over Real Madrid as Benfica manager on Wednesday night.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson finally ends long search for new club
The former United academy graduate had been without a club for over a year.
That was before Macclesfield agreed terms with the full-back earlier this month.
Borthwick-Jackson has since made five appearances for the National League North side.
At the age of 28, Borthwick-Jackson needs to be playing regular football rather than just appearing on podcasts. He has many years to tell his story.
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