Manchester United have already seen Lisandro Martinez admit that he considered retirement during the darkest period of his injury nightmare.
The Argentine spent nine months recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury and later revealed that, aged only 26, there was a point when he no longer wanted to play football.
Martinez eventually fought through that period, returning to action for United and providing a reminder that thoughts of retirement are not reserved for players approaching the traditional end of their careers.
United supporters have watched several prominent names finally call time in recent years.
Former defenders Phil Jones and Raphael Varane both retired in 2024, while academy graduate Tom Cleverley ended his playing career aged just 33 in 2023 after injury problems.
Now another former United player has revealed he came remarkably close to joining them, despite believing he still had football left to give.
Former Manchester United midfielder opens up
Nick Powell has revealed that he considered retiring from professional football earlier this year following what he described as a “dark time”.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds after Bradford City’s 2-1 EFL Trophy victory over Newcastle United Under-21s, Powell explained that he was prepared to walk away in January.
As reported by The Sun, the former United attacker had gone months without playing after joining Bradford from Stockport County, leaving him questioning whether continuing was worthwhile.
Powell ultimately chose to fight for his career, returned towards the end of last season and completed a full pre-season before earning another contract.
His story carries particular significance given the expectations that once surrounded him.
United signed Powell from Crewe Alexandra in 2012 after his emergence as one of England’s most exciting young talents.
Sir Alex Ferguson handed him his debut against Wigan Athletic, and Powell immediately announced himself by scoring at Old Trafford.
His United career never developed as hoped, with loans to Wigan, Leicester City and Hull City following.
Now 32, Powell says his perspective has changed completely.
Rather than walking away, he wants “more years” and is prepared to embrace his role from Bradford’s bench to get them.