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Tom Thorpe has been challenged to show there is life after Manchester United.
Phil Parkinson believes the former Old Trafford youth product still needs to prove himself in senior football and is expected to hand him a first Wanderers start at Walsall today, in place of the suspended Jay Spearing.
Thorpe has been on the Whites boss’s wish list since he left the Reds in 2015 and played for him on loan at Bradford City last season from March onward.
Granted a debut by Louis Van Gaal two years ago in a Premier League win against West Ham, the Mancunian, now 23, has found it tough going since leaving Carrington. Thorpe, who represented England at every youth team level, played just 10 times for his next club Rotherham before coming to Bolton on loan.
Parkinson is convinced there is more to come from a player who captained a United youth team including the likes of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Tyler Blackett and Ryan Tunnicliffe to the FA Youth Cup in 2011.
“He’s a good player and one I’ve always had an eye on,” he told The Bolton News. “When he left Manchester United initially I tried to sign him but we were unable to do it, for one reason or another.
“He’s a good all-rounder but he knows now is the time to prove it because he needs to play football now.
“Sometimes when you come out of a club the size of Manchester United and have only really played Under-21 football it can feel like a different kind of game.
“That edge of competitiveness is missing and you don’t have to defend with the same intensity that you need to in league football. When crosses and shots come in you have to defend for your lives at times and there isn’t the same feeling when you play for the reserves and you do see that a lot when young players step up.
“Tom was an important part of that group and they kept him around for a long time. But now is the time for him to prove himself – and when you have got a good attitude like him you have always got a chance.”
Thorpe made his name as a centre-half but can also play in midfield, where he is most likely to line-up at the Banks’s Stadium this afternoon.
After a brief Bolton debut against MK Dons last weekend, Parkinson has no doubts his deadline day signing will be ready if called upon.
“He has had to be a bit patient since coming here but I am sure he will be ready when the opportunity comes around,” the manager added.
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Phil Parkinson believes the former Old Trafford youth product still needs to prove himself in senior football and is expected to hand him a first Wanderers start at Walsall today, in place of the suspended Jay Spearing.
Thorpe has been on the Whites boss’s wish list since he left the Reds in 2015 and played for him on loan at Bradford City last season from March onward.
Granted a debut by Louis Van Gaal two years ago in a Premier League win against West Ham, the Mancunian, now 23, has found it tough going since leaving Carrington. Thorpe, who represented England at every youth team level, played just 10 times for his next club Rotherham before coming to Bolton on loan.
Parkinson is convinced there is more to come from a player who captained a United youth team including the likes of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Tyler Blackett and Ryan Tunnicliffe to the FA Youth Cup in 2011.
“He’s a good player and one I’ve always had an eye on,” he told The Bolton News. “When he left Manchester United initially I tried to sign him but we were unable to do it, for one reason or another.
“He’s a good all-rounder but he knows now is the time to prove it because he needs to play football now.
“Sometimes when you come out of a club the size of Manchester United and have only really played Under-21 football it can feel like a different kind of game.
“That edge of competitiveness is missing and you don’t have to defend with the same intensity that you need to in league football. When crosses and shots come in you have to defend for your lives at times and there isn’t the same feeling when you play for the reserves and you do see that a lot when young players step up.
“Tom was an important part of that group and they kept him around for a long time. But now is the time for him to prove himself – and when you have got a good attitude like him you have always got a chance.”
Thorpe made his name as a centre-half but can also play in midfield, where he is most likely to line-up at the Banks’s Stadium this afternoon.
After a brief Bolton debut against MK Dons last weekend, Parkinson has no doubts his deadline day signing will be ready if called upon.
“He has had to be a bit patient since coming here but I am sure he will be ready when the opportunity comes around,” the manager added.
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