Mourinho & Man United: Ex-Player Reveals Youth Policy

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, former Manchester United defender, has rediscovered the joy of playing football at Macclesfield, an English sixth-tier club, after a career with ups and downs that led him to consider leaving and spending 18 months without a club. The 29-year-old was recently the protagonist of one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup history, when his team eliminated holders Crystal Palace this season.

In early January, Borthwick-Jackson signed for Macclesfield, a team managed by John Rooney, brother of United legend Wayne Rooney. Shortly afterwards, he participated in the historic 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace, an opponent 117 places higher in the English football pyramid. The defender came on as a substitute towards the end, in his second appearance for the club.

The moment was particularly emotional for his father, Mark, who has followed him throughout his career. “I think he missed being at the games,” he confessed in statements to The Athletic. “After the Palace game, you could see he was crying. I feel like it’s very important to him because he was with me every step of the way. He knows everything that happened behind the scenes. For him, it’s probably a very proud moment.’

Borthwick-Jackson’s career got off to a promising start at Manchester United, where he made his first-team debut in November 2015 under Louis van Gaal in a Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion. The Dutch coach, known for launching youngsters from the academy, gave opportunities to 13 Carrington talents during his two seasons. “He was brilliant with me. Perfectionist, but brilliant. It gave many of us our chance. Many of us owe a lot to him because, in fact, he launched our careers”, recalled the defender.

That same season, when Marcus Rashford also made his debut, Borthwick-Jackson started six Premier League games, accumulating almost 700 minutes. However, Van Gaal’s departure and José Mourinho’s arrival at the end of the 2015/16 season changed direction. Despite having renewed his contract on the same day as Rashford, an injury at the start of pre-season and the arrival of new reinforcements dictated his removal from the main dressing room and a series of loans to clubs such as Wolverhampton, Leeds United, Scunthorpe United, Tranmere Rovers and Oldham Athletic, before being released in 2020.

Regarding the renewal under Mourinho, Borthwick-Jackson believes it was a matter of perception. “Obviously, his perception before arriving was: ‘I don’t play with young people, I don’t promote young people’. Things like that. So, I think for the fans, seeing Marcus and I signing on the same day was like saying, ‘Ah, ok, fair enough’.” Despite his winding path, the defender holds no grudges and keeps in touch with former colleagues such as Rashford and Scott McTominay. “You can’t have regrets in football. Things happen for a reason,” he said. “I’m probably most proud of myself now, for being out of football and coming back.”

For Borthwick-Jackson, who started Macclesfield’s last two league games, the feeling is one of rediscovery. “It’s been a while since I enjoyed playing football,” he admits. “Return [a Inglaterra] and being part of a winning group helps immensely. I feel valued again too. I think that, for me, the ambition is, first and foremost, to enjoy football and then see where that takes me», he concluded.