52. Ben Thornley

Signed from: youth team

Debut: 2-2 draw vs West Ham United (as sub), February 26th 1994
League Record: One game (+8 as sub)
Sold to: Huddersfield Town (free transfer), May 1998

The first (but certainly not the last) of the “Class of 1992” to appear here who didn’t end up with lengthy career at United, Ben Thornley picked up many positive notices, but was never helped by the fact he played left wing – a position more than aptly covered by Ryan Giggs and Lee Sharpe.

His chances dived even further when his leg was broken not long after his debut in a reserve game against Blackburn - he later sued the other player involved, a matter settled out of court. That pretty much ended any real progression, though the fact he was still in the squad as late as 1998 would suggest Fergie had some faith in him working out. But it was not to be, and he was packed off to Huddersfield Town. Though the team looked an outside bet for the Premier League at one point, they were instead relegated in 2001 and Thornley left to play over the border for Aberdeen. From there, it was a disappointing slide into the lower divisions and eventually the non-league, leaving us with a sad sense of a talent lost through matters out of the player's control.

Apropos of nothing, his brother has worked as a masseur to the England national team.