Former Manchester United youth coach Eric Harrison has died, aged 81.
Harrison is famed for nurturing the talents of United’s now fabled FA Youth Cup-winning team of 1992 which featured future England stars David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Gary Neville.
The former Halifax, Hartlepool, Barrow and Southport player also led United to Youth Cup glory in 1995, under the captaincy of the now England Women’s head coach Phil Neville.
Phil Neville said: “He was like a second father.
“On and off the pitch, the way you spoke to the canteen ladies, the kit man, the way you dressed, your time-keeping - they were values that stood us in good stead for the rest of our lives.
“I'm a manager now and the standards that I try and give my players are the standards he taught me and I'll be forever indebted to him.
“He was a truly remarkable man and I personally owe him everything.”
Gary Neville added: “We've lost our mentor, our coach and the man who made us.
“He taught us how to play, how to never give up [and] how important it was to win your individual battles.”
Harrison was awarded an MBE for services to football in the 2018 New Year honours list.
