Ex-Manchester United youth player Adam Thurston now scoring goals in Adelaide’s State League One

FROM Manchester United youth player to scoring five goals in a match for South Adelaide. Adam Thurston has played for one of the world’s biggest clubs, now he’s lining up in Adelaide.

Adam Thurston was in Manchester United's youth system for eight years – now he's playing soccer for South Adelaide. Picture: Keryn Stevens.

FROM Manchester United youth player to scoring five goals in a match for South Adelaide.

Adam Thurston says his “all or nothing” journey to SA’s State League One reflects both the harsh reality of elite soccer and his willingness to do whatever it takes to return to the top level.

The 22-year-old midfielder was in Manchester United’s youth squads from ages eight to 16, during which he would bump into such stars as Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand at the club’s Carrington training ground, and watch first-team sessions from a neighbouring pitch.

But after his time at United ended six years ago and stints at lower-ranked teams “came to a dead end”, Thurston contacted England-born South Adelaide coach Danny Graystone and paid his own way to trial with the O’Sullivan Beach club in January.

He is now the second-tier Adelaide competition’s leading goal scorer after netting five times in the top-of-the-table Panthers’ 10-0 home victory over Salisbury United on April 8.

“It was all or nothing,” Thurston recalls of joining South.

“I was believing in my ability and hopeful, but I needed a bit of luck. If Danny said no, I would’ve been stuck and wouldn’t have been able to afford to get home.

“But I took the risk and I’m loving every minute.”

O’Sullivan Beach is a long way from Manchester United’s so-called “Theatre of Dreams”, Old Trafford.

But Thurston, a lifelong Red Devils fan, says it has taken him until the past year for his time at the English Premier League giant to sink in.

“I used to go watch them in person so seeing these guys in person was a massive shock.

“If you were injured you’d use the first-team gym and I remember once I went in and they were all doing yoga, and I didn’t know where to look.

“But it’s taken up until now to realise how lucky I was to be there and I’ve obviously learnt from the best.”

Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United’s Carrington training ground in 2007. Ronaldo was at United when Adam Thurston was in the Red Devils’ youth system. Picture: AP

Thurston says he cried when Red Devils officials axed him in a meeting with his mum and dad.

“They just said straight up ‘I think it’s time you move on because we’re going to be bringing new lads in and you’re probably not ready for the youth team’.

“It was brutal.”

Thurston then trialled for about eight different English clubs, including Leicester City, Birmingham City and Leeds United, but was knocked back.

“At the time, I was quite small for my age – small and skinny,” says Thurston, who is now 175cm.

Preston North End eventually signed him and he won two youth titles at the club, yet a senior contract never arose.

Since then, he has had stints at Albuquerque Sol in the US and lower-league English clubs Hyde United and FC United of Manchester.

Thurston landed in Adelaide five days after booking his flight.

“Back home, it’s a lot more physical with big lads and long ball but here the lads like to play proper football, playing their way out of the back.

“I owe Danny and (Panthers chairman) Phil Reed a lot for taking a chance on me.”

Thurston’s exit from the Red Devils has not quelled his passion for the club and he gets up in the early hours to watch their games.

Former United youth teammates who are now playing in the English Premier League or second-tier Championship, including Paddy McNair (Sunderland) and Josh Brownhill (Bristol City), serve as motivation.

“Hopefully I can make a professional career out and do what they’ve done.”

Thurston also hopes to help South Adelaide return to the Premier League after being demoted last season.

“I’ve had a lot of setbacks and people say football’s a ruthless game – and it is,” he says.

“But it’s about how you deal with your setbacks.

“I’ve kept on going.”

Originally published as Ex-Manchester United youth player Adam Thurston now scoring goals in Adelaide’s State League One