Former Manchester United player Danny Simpson makes football return

Former Manchester United defender Danny Simpson has reignited his playing career with seventh-tier outfit Macclesfield Town.

The 36-year-old had been training with the club in recent weeks and started their Cheshire Senior Cup win over Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday night. Simpson has been doing punditry for United's in-house TV channel while he has also been back at Carrington observing and learning with the Academy staff as he studies for his coaching badges.

Macclesfield play in the Northern Premier League but are making waves in the non-league scene since a takeover fronted by Robbie Savage, himself a former United player. Alex Bruce, son of ex-United defender Steve, is in charge.

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Simpson played 76 minutes of the 4-2 victory over Tranmere with former Everton star Oumar Niasse netting a hat-trick for the Silkmen. A crowd of 330 watched the tie.

Simpson could play for Macclesfield in their FA Trophy tie at Curzon Ashton this weekend. The full-back won the Premier League with Leicester City having come through the ranks at Old Trafford.

He made his United debut in October 2007 and left Old Trafford three years later after making eight senior appearances. He then had spells with Newcastle and QPR before joining Leicester, where he started 30 games in their Premier League-winning season in 2015/2016.

Simpson played for Huddersfield Town and Bristol City after leaving Leicester and he spoke to the MEN last year about the difficulties professional footballers encounter when their contracts expire. His last Football League appearance came in October 2021 for Bristol City.