Louis van Gaal praised Tyler Blackett as a future star, but he fell short of expectations at Manchester United.
After 2015, Blackett struggled to find a place, which resulted in loans and eventually moves to lower league teams.
Blackett, 31, is still attempting to restart his career without a club after overcoming many obstacles and ailments.
One of the main pillars of Manchester United’s legendary past has been the club’s renowned Carrington academy, which has produced some very exceptional players. Indeed, homegrown talent has been the foundation of some of the Red Devils’ most successful lineups; notable examples include Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, and George Best.
The enormous pressure of being a part of such a prominent youth setup, however, causes some people to struggle for every diamond that comes out of the academy. I think of players like Adnan Januzaj, Federico Macheda, and Ravel Morrison who showed promise early on but never quite lived up to their full potential.
Another player in that category came to prominence under the brief rule of Louis van Gaal from 2014 to 2016. Ever the optimist, Van Gaal thought that little Tyler Blackett, who had only just joined Manchester United’s youth divisions at the age of eight, was at the ideal club to foster his growth. However, as is sometimes the case in sports, Blackett was unable to fully overcome the turbulent post-Ferguson transition.
Tyler Blackett’s Early Man United Promise
He was tipped to become a club great by Van Gaal
In July 2012, Blackett signed his first professional deal with Manchester United. Two years later, under Van Gaal, he would start to receive regular preseason minutes. The team was still in the early stages of rebuilding after Ferguson’s death, and since the renowned Scot had left after David Moyes’ catastrophic tenure, they had hired a second manager, so anyone might argue for a starting position.
He assisted Marouane Fellaini’s stoppage-time goal to make the score 2-1 in the team’s last preseason game against Valencia at Old Trafford. Van Gaal was eager to laud the 19-year-old, who played centre defence but was also extremely good at filling in on the flank.
In reference to Blackett, Van Gaal stated, “He is another young player that has risen through the Academy system to break into the first-team squad this season,” reports the Mirror.
“Tyler [Blackett] has great potential, and I believe he is at the right club to continue his development and progression to become a great defender.”
Due to an injury problem and the departures of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, Blackett was promoted to the first team squad for the 2014–15 season. On August 16, 2014, he made his competitive debut by playing the entire 90 minutes in Van Gaal’s first game as manager, a 2-1 home loss to Swansea. That season, he made 12 appearances in the Premier League.
There was cause to think the young player could make a name for himself at Old Trafford, even after he was sent off in a goalless draw with Burnley and scored an own goal against Arsenal that guaranteed United’s title fate. Rather, he never played for the team again, making his first season his final one.
What Happened to Tyler Blackett?
He is now 31 years old and without a club
In the summer before the 2015–16 season, the Red Devils risked spending more than £100 million on new players. Blackett was consequently sent out on loan to Celtic and pushed aside for his more expensive, well-known rivals for his spot. He had no idea that the temporary change would ultimately spell the end of his career at Old Trafford.
Under the direction of Jaap Stam, Blackett made more than 120 appearances for Championship team Reading between 2016 and 2020, solidifying his reputation as a dependable defender. Prior to joining Rotherham in the summer of 2022, he also had stints at Nottingham Forest and FC Cincinnati in the MLS.
The Career Statistics of Tyler Blackett
Years
Club
Games
2012–2016
United Manchester
Twelve
2013–2014
Loan for Blackpool
5.
2014
(loan) Birmingham City
8.
2015–2016
Celtic loan
8.
From 2016 to 2020
Perusing
122
2020–2021
Forest of Nottingham
16
2021–2022
Cincinnati
33
2022–2024
United Rotherham
18
Between his arrival in March and the end of the season, the 31-year-old made six games, which helped the Millers avoid relegation. In order to stay with the team for the 2023–2024 season, he signed a new one-year contract in South Yorkshire after the season ended.
But due to injury problems, he was only able to make 12 appearances in league and cup competitions during his campaign. On October 4, 2023, he made his farewell appearance, scoring a goal in a 2-1 loss against Bristol City. Unsurprisingly, Blackett was let go at the end of the season, and ten months later, he is still looking for a new team.
“How have I been? “All right,” Blackett said in January to Flashscore. “I have never had to deal with this in my professional life, so it hasn’t been simple at all. Some days are better than others.
“But all I’m doing is training and staying in shape. Simply staying organised and trying my best to be prepared for the appropriate moment. Now is the time to wait for the ideal fit. There’s been some interest at different times, but it’s not really been right for me.”
It’s unknown who Blackett’s potential suitors have been, but there’s certainly hope that the former United defender, who last played for the club over a decade ago now, will be back on the pitch again at some point before he retires.
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