Michael Clegg

Education

He turned professional soon afterwards, and made his first-team debut on 23 November 1996, in the Premiership game away to Middlesbrough which finished as a 2–2 draw.

Career

He notably played in the Premier League for Manchester United and then moved on to play in the Football League for Ipswich Town, Wigan Athletic and Oldham Athletic. Clegg, born in Ashton-under-Lyne, began his football career as a trainee with Manchester United and was part of the 1995 FA Youth Cup-winning side. Clegg spent time on loan at Ipswich Town and Wigan Athletic before he joined Division Two club Oldham Athletic on a free transfer on 19 February 2002.

In his first season Oldham qualified for the Division Two playoffs, but the club then went into administration and Clegg helped a heavily reshaped squad stay clear of relegation in his final season before retiring as a professional football player at the age of 27.

Clegg was appointed by Roy Keane as Sunderland"s strength and conditioning coach in 2006. Clegg"s father, Mike, was strength and conditioning coach at Manchester United (2000-2011).

Achievements

• He played in four FA Premier League games in the 1996-1997 season, and although United were champions for the fourth time in five seasons it was not enough for a title winner"s medal. He managed a further three appearances in 1997-1998 (when United were trophyless for only the second time in the decade) before making his final two appearances in the 1999–2000 campaign, when United won their sixth title in eight seasons, but once again Clegg failed to meet the required number of appearances for a title winner"s medal.