Tonight’s match will be something of a full circle moment for Salford City Head Coach Neil Wood as he takes charge against his former side in the EFL Trophy.
“Manchester United 2001-04, 0 appearances, Royal Antwerp (loan)” is a fairly standard Wikipedia entry for any youth players that were on the books at United in the 2000’s when the two clubs had an affiliate link. Some such as John O’Shea and Jonny Evans went onto bigger and better things and won league titles, others such as Dong Fangzhou became footnotes and were more well known for being good on Football Manager instead.
Salford’s current manager Neil Wood played three times there at the start of his career on loan but that was as close as he got to playing for United. He was unlucky with injuries, a blood clot in his thigh first, then a fractured skull and articular cartilage damage kept him out for 18 months.
His playing career took him from Oldham to Bosnian side Zeljeznicar Sarajevo via spells at various clubs in the Football League and loan spells. Another cruciate injury at Oldham set his career back further and after a spell at non-league Atherstone Town, he retired at 27 in 2010.
With an early retirement, Wood went into coaching but had to start without a wage to do his coaching badges starting out with Aston Villa’s U-12 side. After an impressive start, he was given a role back at United as a youth coach at U-13 level and impressed enough to work his way up to running the U23s by 2019.
17 academy players have made first-team debuts for the club that came through the ranks when Wood was manager of the youth side.
Harry Robinson, a regular viewer of that side and author of The Men who Made Manchester United book said: “His style of play at United had to adapt a little to who was available. United have rarely had a ‘perfect XI’ at U21s level in recent years, because of loan moves, injuries and first-team involvement.
“At U21s level, Wood had D’Mani Mellor leading the line as a very proactive, energetic presser. He didn’t always score, but dragged United forward and made them a front-foot team.
Get down to The Peninsula Stadium this evening to back The Ammies as we take on @ManUtd U21s 🦁🔴
The Ticket Office is open until 4pm today, tickets will also be able to be purchased on the gate for the West Stand 🎟️
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) October 31, 2023
“He scored a few by robbing the ‘keeper of the ball. Behind that, it varied, but energy and hard work were the non-negotiables, as they should be in football. He tried to play out from the back and have full-backs very active in attack,” Robinson added.
Wood clearly impressed at his time at United, playing a key role in helping players progress into the first team.
A 4-3-3 formation was preferred with Garnacho, McNeill and Shoretire leading the forward line. There’s highlights on YouTube of the UEFA Youth League Round of 16 tie with Borussia Dortmund and you can see clearly what Wood was trying to achieve with that group of players.
United ultimately lost on penalties after a fast paced 2-2 draw but their second goal of the night by McNeill shows what Wood was trying to achieve. A fast break takes Mejibri into Dortmund’s own third and the cross falls to McNeill on the edge of the box who smashes it into the top left corner.
Goals and movements of play like this were common under Wood’s United. It’s no coincidence that players like Garnacho have established themselves in United’s first team. United’s U18s won the FA Youth Cup that same season with Garnacho again scoring twice in the final, Wood’s attention to detail and tactics helped players like that flourish.
Robinson explained: “Academy coaches at United have, certainly since Nick Cox arrived as Head of Academy, generally moved up the age groups. It makes sense on several levels. Travis Binnion, previously U18s coach, is now U21s manager, and Adam Lawrence has moved up from the U16s to U18s. It was the same with Wood, but obviously you’ve got to be rated. The step up from U18s to U21s is big for a player, and for coaches too.
“The balance between development and results changes slightly. The emphasis remains firmly on the former at United, even at U21 level, but you’re having to help players on their final stage before senior football. It takes a different skillset, and Wood was good at it. So many players made their way into United’s senior team under his watch.”
He was, and Salford City came calling as a result. A side that overspent in recent years that needed some stability as a football club. Five promotions in six years was a strong start since Peter Lim and the Class of 92’s takeover but since, they have struggled to adapt to League Two. In their fourth season and after another campaign of missing the playoffs, they turned to Wood to help their fortunes.
Mixed results with three different managers previously and the shock of how difficult League Two can be as a division meant Salford struggled more than their fans thought.
In Wood’s first full season in charge, he took them to the playoffs and they narrowly lost to Stockport over two legs on penalties. There is a clear system and pattern of play that Wood is trying to implement at the club. An aggressive 4-2-3-1 that worked for League Two helped Salford achieve their best ever league finish.
“He managed to steady the ship, it’s been a shaky start so far this season but he did a great job in taking them to the playoffs last season. It feels like for the first time in League Two they’ve had a manager that has momentum behind him,” says Lewis Gray, Salford Now sport editor.
This season Salford currently sit six points off where they need to be to qualify for the playoffs. A shock Carabao Cup win over Leeds United on penalties has been the highlight of the season so far with 46 league places between them not stopping Wood from tactically outmanoeuvring a former Premier League manager in Daniel Farke.
A pitch invasion took place after the game with fans singing Wood’s name.
Tonight his Salford side face his old United U23 side in the Papa John’s Trophy. The story has gone full circle and with Wood already causing one shock this season, it could easily happen again.
“It looks like he’s doing similar at Salford, despite the harder challenge of League Two. I hear good things about the manner in which Salford are playing under him and, especially against a United youth team, you’d expect Salford to try and dominate the game, play good football on the floor and punish United at set-pieces,” added Robinson.
It would be a great moment in Wood’s career if that happened. Salford play United U23s tonight at Moor Lane at 8pm.
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