Manchester United treble winner managing in non-league is now hardly recognisable

Although not one of the most memorable members of Manchester United's 1999 treble winning squad, Jonathan Greening is now completely unrecognisable as a successful non-league manager.

A dynamic midfielder in his playing days, the now-44-year-old made 27 appearances for United having joined from then-Division Two outfit York City in a deal worth up to £2million.

He earned just £400-a-week at the Old Trafford and later admitted he failed to look at his salary expectations when penning his Man Utd contract.

There was serious competition in the Red Devils' midfield but Greening managed to make his debut in the treble-winning 1998/99 season and was an unused substitute in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

Greening watched on from the sidelines as Teddy Sheringham and a famous late Ole Gunnar Solskjaer winner sent United into ecstasy and the midfielder even picked up a Champions League winners medal.

However, opportunities under Sir Alex Ferguson still found themselves hard to come by despite signing a new contract at the end of the 1999/2000 season. Eventually, he joined former first-team coach Steve McLaren at Middlesbrough in 2001.

On Teeside, the midfielder won the League Cup but didn't get a taste of Boro's UEFA Cup run, having left for West Brom beforehand.

Before retiring in 2017, the Englishman also turned out for Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Barnsley and Tadcaster Albion.

Getting a taste of non-league at Tadcaster, Greening stepped into management midway through the 2021/22 season, joining hometown club Scarborough Athletic and guided them to promotion to the National League North.

Going from long, dark locks kept behind the ears at United with limited facial scruff, the 44-year-old now looks completely different, boasting an impressively large, bushy beard whilst on the touchline at the Flamingo Land Stadium.

The @safc Management Team Are BACK! @JonoGreening8 and @ingdog24 all smiles ahead of the new season. pic.twitter.com/N8osQjt2Pm

— Viking Photography York 📸 (@vikingphotoyork) June 30, 2023

Greening's start to management has been quite successful, being named the National League North manager of the Month following an impressive opening few months in the sixth tier. However, on a high-stakes final day last season, Scarborough agonisingly missed out on the play-offs due to an inferior goal difference and will play in the National League North once again this year.