Former Man United star and Premier League winner looks unrecognisable on return to Old Trafford for legends game against Celtic

A former Manchester United star now looks unrecognisable after marking his return to Old Trafford on Saturday. 

He came off the bench as United legends were defeated on penalties by their Celtic counterparts in a friendly match for charity. 

Wayne Rooney scored a sublime free-kick to give the hosts the lead before Gary Hooper levelled the score in the second-half. 

The player in question came through United’s youth ranks in the late 90s and departed in 2004 having been part of their Premier League winning side in the 2000-01 season. 

After his latest appearance at Old Trafford, he posted on X: ‘HAPPY, HUMBLED, AND EXTREMELY GRATEFUL! 

Luke Chadwick came through the Red Devils’ youth ranks in the late 90s and departed in 2004 

‘That’s how I’ve woken up feeling this morning after having the opportunity to live my dream again running around on the hallow turf of Old Trafford.’ 

Retired midfielder Luke Chadwick was unrecognisable, with the 43-year-old now bald and sporting a beard that looked a long way off his look as a fresh-faced youngster at United. 

Chadwick struggled to break into the first team at United, and after a series of loan spells, he left the club to join West Ham in the Championship in 2004 after making 39 appearances for the Red Devils. 

He became something of an EFL stalwart, racking up over 400 appearances between the Championship and League Two, before he retired after a stint with Cambridge United in 2015.

The midfielder returned to Old Trafford with Cambridge for an FA Cup tie in his last season in 2015 and was given a standing ovation by both sets off fans.

Chadwick will be best remembered by MK Dons fans, as he played over 200 games for the club and was named their player of the season twice.

Chadwick previously spoke out about his mental health struggles after being mocked about his appearance on BBC’s sports quiz show They Think It’s All Over.

Chadwick’s final club was Cambridge United in 2015 after he helped them into the EFL

In an interview with Mail Sport in 2020, Chadwick opened up about how the jibes at his expense, which focused on his looks, obliterated his already fragile confidence as a youngster.

The presenter of the show Nick Hancock publicly apologised to Chadwick, as did team captain Gary Lineker who appeared on the show – with both being accepted by Chadwick.