McShane insists 'no-brainer' taking unique Man Utd U23s opportunity | OneFootball

Paul McShane says it was a "no-brainer" to join Manchester United's U23 set-up.

The 35-year-old, who came through the United academy, is fulfilling a new role in Neil Wood's side as he will play and help coach the players.

McShane has no chance of being called up to the first-team, but that is completely fine with him.

"It was a no-brainer for me," McShane told Goal. "To come back to Manchester United, and also to make that transition from playing to coaching, it's a great opportunity for me.

"Last season, when I played it wasn't enough for me to just keep turning up as a player, I felt I wanted that little bit more responsibility and to get involved with the coaching side of things, and this allows me to do that but also have the beauty of still playing."

But wasn't he worried about the stigma of being the 'old one' playing in the youth team? Especially when he had offers on the table to continue playing in the Football League for at least another season.

"It didn't cross my mind at all actually, I was just buzzing to get involved," he explains. "The first time I thought about it was when an opposition player told me I must be rubbish if I was still playing reserve level football at 35-years-old. I don't think they quite got the role!"