Kieran McKenna has made the plunge into management after leaving Manchester United.
The Northern Irishman progressed from coaching in the youth set-up to moving into the first team at Old Trafford.
But he has become the latest member of staff to depart in recent weeks following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal and Michael Carrick's exit. McKenna takes over the manager's role at an Ipswich side 11th in the table, and 10 points off the play-off places.
"I've put a lot into becoming the best coach I can be, but the ambition all along was to make this step," he said.
"To take the chance to lead a team - I knew that day would come."
Here, we look at four United players he could potentially reunite with in January.
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Teden Mengi
The defender was expected to be despatched out on loan at the start of this season after impressing at Derby last term.
Mengi made nine appearances at the back end of last season for Wayne Rooney's side.
He was heavily linked with another temporary stint in the East Midlands but he stayed put at United and has been part of their under-23s squad this season.
Neil Wood, boss of the United youngsters, recently said on Mengi: "I'm not sure if the chance was there for him to go out on loan or not.
"But it is one of them where he spent pre-season with the first-team, he didn't end up going out on loan and he's come to pick up game time with us.
"I think for him it is just important he keeps getting game time, he keeps himself fresh and by January his pathway might change. He might end up going out on loan which I think would probably be the case."
Charlie Savage
It was a proud moment for ex-United player Robbie Savage when his son Charlie made his senior debut earlier this month.
The 18-year-old came off the bench for the Champions League game with Young Boys with his famous dad being reduced to tears whilst live on commentary duties.
New United interim boss Ralf Rangnick has spoken of how he is keen to blood youngsters but a loan spell in the EFL may suit Savage, and a quick reunion with McKenna in League One could be just the tonic.
Charlie McNeil
Talented youngster McNeil arrived at United from City in the summer of 2020. The 18-year-old forward is highly-rated and earlier this year he scored all four goals in a 4-2 win against City in an under-18s contest.
His form has continued this season where he is now enjoying himself in the UEFA Youth League.
The youngster has continued to impress United coaches this season and as well as two strikes in Europe he's also notched four times in the Premier League 2 competition, and once for the under-21s in the EFL Trophy - against senior opposition.
A spell under McKenna's tutelage in a high-profile team lower down the pyramid would give him the chance to prove his credentials at senior level.
Phil Jones
Perhaps the most unlikely player on this list to be tempted by a move to League One.
Jones is of course much more experienced than the other three players listed, but he has been in the wilderness for fast approaching two years now.
His last senior appearance was way back in January 2020.
However, he appears to have returned (finally) to full fitness and has been on the bench for four of the last five United games.
He has been heavily linked with a loan move away from Old Trafford, and perhaps a big club with a familiar face in charge could help him kick-start his career. The big stumbling block is likely to be wages.
