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Forgotten Man Utd star once backed by Van Gaal suffers dramatic fall from grace

  /  autty

A former Manchester United star suffered a stunning fall from grace having previously been tipped for 'great' things by ex-Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal.

The player appeared to have a bright future ahead of him at the top level when he broke into the first team under van Gaal in the 2014-15 season.

Tyler Blackett made 11 appearances that season - as United were left thin on centre-backs following the departure of club legends Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.

According to The Daily Mirror, van Gaal said of Blackett after he made his debut for the Red Devils: 'He is another young player that has risen through the Academy system to break into the first-team squad this season'.

'Tyler has great potential and I believe he is at the right club to continue his development and progression to become a great defender.'

But Blackett was then loaned out to Celtic but made just three appearances on loan for the Scottish side in 2015-16.

However, he would enjoy regular minutes after a move to Reading saw him make 110 appearances across a six-year spell with the Royals.

After football was suspended following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in the final year of his contract, Blackett played for Nottingham Forest and Rotherham United either side of a spell in the MLS with FC Cincinnati.

However, he has been without a club since the end of last season after the south Yorkshire side chose not to renew his deal.

Speaking to FlashScore in January about how he was coping without having a club, he said: '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.

'There's been some interest at different times, but it's not really been right for me.'

Related: Manchester United