On the weekend of Valentine's Day, 2016, the appropriately-named Donald Love was handed his Premier League debut by Louis van Gaal. So, what happened to the Scotland U21 international who was personally scouted by Sir Alex Ferguson?
Let's start from the beginning. As a kid, Rochdale-born Love was playing for local side Northwich Town when then-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson turned up to watch his grandson, who was playing for opposition team Egerton.
Ferguson, clearly impressed by Love, would apparently recommend the defender to United, where he would progress through the youth ranks before signing his first professional contract at Old Trafford in 2013.
Advert
"There is pride whenever I pull on the shirt," Love said in 2016. "I know how hard I've got to work every day and I just have to try my best. The game is changing but we have one of the best youth systems around. It’s great if homegrown lads can come through because the fans back you."
After playing a number of U21 games alongside another youth product, Paddy McNair, Love would join League One side Wigan Athletic on a three-month loan ahead of the 2015/16 season. Soon, though, he was recalled as United continued to struggle with injuries.
In fact, Love was one of three academy players included on the bench when United travelled to the Stadium of Light in February 2016 and, after Italy international Matteo Darmian picked up an injury in the 37th minute, he was thrown on to fill-in at right-back.
Advert
Soon, he was screaming at captain Wayne Rooney, according to a match report from the BBC, who said Love had "solid performance" on his debut at right-back.
"The 21-year-old joined in United's attack at will and showed he was not overawed when he screamed at captain Wayne Rooney for over-hitting the return ball of a one-two," they added.
Sunderland would go on to secure all three points with a 2-1 win but the youngster's performance earned praise from many, including former United forward Brian McClair.
“Making your debut for such a big club like Manchester United is nerve-wracking for any player, let alone a young player in such a high-pressure environment like a Premier League match," he said. "He’d have no doubt been apprehensive, but he was positive in his involvement in the match.
Advert
“From that first moment onwards he settled in to the flow of the match, and along with United’s other young full-back (Cameron Borthwick-Jackson), he was one of United’s most attacking threats on Saturday."
Things were looking promising and five days later, Love would make his second appearance for United – a 2-1 defeat against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League round of 32 – but they turned out to be his last minutes under Louis van Gaal.
Advert
Six months later, Sunderland manager David Moyes decided to make a move for Love as part of a £5.5 million deal involving Paddy McNair.
Speaking about his time at United soon after, the academy graduate said Van Gaal did not speak to him again following their defeat to FC Midtjylland.
“He told me, after the Sunderland game, I’d done well and that I was one of the better players," Love said. “That gives you a confidence a boost going into the next game.
“But we lost the next game and I’ve fallen out of it since then. I don’t regret anything because I did my best when I was out there. But I wanted to win.
Advert
“The manager hasn’t spoken to me yet, but I think that’s just how he is. I think I see him how you lot see him. It’s either his way or no other way. That’s how I think he’s always been by the sounds of it. People have taken their chances, too, so I’m waiting for another chance.”
READ MORE:
Love would go on to make 34 appearances over a three-year period for Sunderland, who were relegated at the end of the 2016/17 campaign.
He would join League One outfit Shrewsbury after being released by the Black Cats, and would spend two seasons at New Meadow before joining Gary Bowyer's Salford City in August 2021.
He currently plays for Morecambe, who sit 12th in the League Two ladder.
Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Sunderland
Jack Kenmare