Matt Judge and Ralf Rangnick have left Manchester United with transfer role vacancy

Manchester United fans tend to get incredibly excited whenever a morsel of news crops up regarding Paul Mitchell and a possible role at the club.

It's very possible, however, that the Mitchell love-in is restricted to United aficionados on social media and that many more casual supporters aren't familiar with him. It may seem strange to some, therefore, that someone who never kicked a ball in the Premier League, nor has ever held a managerial or coaching role, can illicit such excitement from United fans in the same way a transfer target does.

So here it is; a potted history of Mitchell's career in football and how he was elevated to near deity status in the eyes of so many fans in 2022.

READ MORE: Rangnick has highlighted key piece of the puzzle for United's rebuild

Mitchell was a workmanlike defensive player during his fairly short professional career, joining Wigan Athletic's academy after a brief stint with Man City as a child. The Stalybridge-born utility man enjoyed a consistent spell in the Wigan side, after loans with Halifax and Swindon, before moving to Milton Keynes in 2006. He captained MK Dons in his first season but injury struck in February 2007 in the form of a complicated leg break and Mitchell never made a full recovery.

To say he made the best of himself after being forced to retire in 2009 at the age of 27 is an understatement. Mitchell quickly became MK Dons' head of recruitment, enjoying numerous transfer successes, then went on to work with Mauricio Pochettino in the same role at Southampton. His record making under-the-radar signings was virtually unparalleled by the time of his departure in 2014 following Pochettino to Tottenham.

Since leaving Spurs in 2016, Mitchell has commanded high ranking