Man United’s 1992 FA Youth Cup winners

Manchester United were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup at the hands of Southampton last week, thanks to two rather spectacular late goals at Old Trafford from the visitors.

The Red Devils have a fine history in the competition, having won it on ten occasions since 1953, more than any other side in English football, and finishing runners-up a further four times.

Whilst Chelsea are breathing down the necks of the red half of Manchester, having won the last three consecutive titles, it is still a competition in which club’s take great pride and gives coaches the chance to show off the next generation of stars.

Perhaps the most famous crop of players to emerge from United’s Carrington academy is the Class of ’92, a side which featured the likes of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, the Neville brothers, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.

These players sparked a memorable period of success in the club’s history, but it all began with lifting the FA Youth Cup in 1992, beating Crystal Palace in the final.

But what has happened to the XI which started the second leg of that final at Old Trafford in the years since? Shoot! takes a look…

Kevin Pilkington

The shot-stopper on the day, Kevin Pilkington, went on to make just six appearances for the Man United first team, making his debut from the bench for an injured Peter Schmeichel against Crystal Palace in 1994.

The ‘keeper left Old Trafford in 1998, spending the rest of his career amongst lower league sides, ending at Notts County, where he is currently a player-coach.

John O’Kane

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

The defender made just two appearances for the Man United first team, an had various loan spells before leaving Old Trafford for Everton in 1998.

Having made just 14 appearances for the Toffees over a three year spell, with a further two loans in between, O’Kane joined Bolton Wanderers before moves to Blackpool and Hyde, where he ended his career in 2006.

George Switzer

Switzer, sat to the right of David Beckham, with the rest of the squad.

The former United left-back never made an appearance for the Red Devils senior side, leaving the club the year after the Youth Cup final and spent the majority of his career with Hyde United, before retiring at AFC Monton in 2013.

Chris Casper

Offside Sports Photography / Mark Leech

The former England youth international made just two appearances for the Man United first team, and after loan spells with Bournemouth, Swindon and Reading, before joining the Royals permanently in 1998.

The defender made just shy of 40 appearances for the Berkshire side, before moving into coaching in 2000. The 41-year-old now works with the Premier League as a club support manager in the north west, working with academies.

Gary Neville

Photo: Offside / Marca

The Man United legend went on to enjoy a trophy laden career in Manchester as one of the most famous one-club men in English football.

Upon retiring Neville forged a career as an insightful pundit with Sky Sports, before moving into coaching with England alongside his media work.

After an unsuccessful spell as the manager of Spanish side Valencia the ex-England international returned to his role with Sky Sports, and after Euro 2016 left his coaching role in the England setup after Roy Hodgson’s resignation.

David Beckham

Photo: Offside / L’Equipe.

David Beckham has gone on to become one of the most recognisable faces on the planet, transcending football and becoming a fully-fledged superstar.

After leaving United in 2003, the former England captain travelled Europe playing for the top clubs on the continent, with spells at Real Madrid, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain separated by a spell in the MLS with LA Galaxy.

Nicky Butt

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Nicky Butt was undoubtedly the unsung hero of the Class of ’92. Whilst the likes of Beckham, Giggs and Scholes went onto have glamours careers at Old Trafford, Butt left for Newcastle in 2004.

The midfield hard-man has since returned to Man United as the head of coaching at their Carrington academy, as well as being a co-owner of Salford City with the rest of the Class of ’92.

Simon Davies

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Since hanging up his playing boots in 2007 at Airbus UK, the Welshman has switch allegances in Manchester and taken up the role of the Man City U21’s manager.

Davies made 20 first team appearances for United in all competitions, scoring in a 4-0 Champions League win over Galatasaray.

Colin McKee

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

After making just one league appearance for United McKee left the club in 1994 and spent the rest of his career in Scottish football, retiring in 2001.

Ryan Giggs

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Man United legend Ryan Giggs left the club in 2016 after 29 years of association, having not been kept on as assistant manager under Jose Mourinho.

The Wales international made well over 650 league appearances for the club, and is currently on the look out for a move into management.

Ben Thornley

Credit: Offside / Mark Leech

The man who started up top for United in the final made nine league appearances for the Red Devils, before leaving to join Huddersfield in 1998 after a loan spell.

Thornley ended his career in 2010 after playing for various different sides at non-league level.

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