'Absolute steal' - The Manchester United academy defender that Sir Alex Ferguson regrets selling

James Chester was born in Birchwood, Warrington and he went to his first Manchester United match aged six.

Two years after United had played Rotor Volgograd at Old Trafford in 1995, which was Chester's first game, he had joined the Reds' academy. Chester had always dreamed of representing United and he now had the opportunity to realise his ambition.

Chester quickly rose to prominence in the club's youth ranks. He played in the 2007 FA Youth Cup final, he was named United's U23s' academy Player of the Year by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and he made his first team debut under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2009.

Chester was eventually sold to Hull City in 2011 for a transfer fee that Ferguson has openly called 'an absolute steal'.

Ahead of United's latest academy stars playing in the 2022 FA Youth Cup final, Chester sat down with the Manchester Evening News to reflect on his career, which highlights an exciting path away from United, for any academy players that may need it.

"I got scouted playing as a right-winger. I don’t quite know what age I found myself playing centre half," Chester explained to the MEN, while he relaxed in Stoke's team hotel ahead of a Championship fixture against Reading.

"I think when you're young they like to play you in different positions anyway. I think probably quickly found when I was at the academy, there were a lot more flamboyant players than me. Centre half probably complemented the kind of player I was."

Chester might have started playing on the wing, but he found his calling at centre-back. He began to excel in defence in United's academy and he progressed through the club's youth levels. He admits that United provided an excellent education.

That education eventually enabled Chester to play an