Former Manchester United prodigy Callum Gribbin has been forced to fundraise to avoid postponing surgery on a devastating knee injury which could end his career.
The attacking midfielder, 24, spent over a decade on the Red Devils' books after joining as a child and drew comparisons to Ryan Giggs as he rose through the academy ranks. He announced himself to the Old Trafford faithful while playing for United's under-13s at Edwin van der Sar's testimonial, shining against Ajax in an exhibition fixture.
Due to his precocious dribbling ability and wand of a left foot, Gribbin was likened to club legend Giggs and even impressed Jose Mourinho during his time as United manager. However, he was released in 2019 after injuries hampered his progress and subsequently joined Sheffield United, Barrow and Radcliffe.
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The Salford native moved to United of Manchester - who play in the in seventh tier of English football - in 2022 and featured prominently until he suffered a catastrophic leg injury.
Gribbin was on the receiving end of a heavy tackle at Broadhurst Park and needed to be stretchered off while in severe discomfort, with scans showing he had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, medial ligament and posterior ligament.
Rupturing one of these ligaments would rule a player out of action for at least six months, so the extent of his injury has thrown his career into doubt. Gribbin requires urgent surgery to address the issue but the cost of the operation is great and he needs to raise 50 per cent of the sum required, with the Professional Footballers' Association covering the other half of the sum
A statement on United of Manchester's website claims Gribbin will be forced to delay his surgery if he does not raise the money by Friday 17 March. The player has already been relying on crowdfunding to provide for his young family while he is sidelined, and it will take up to a year for him to rehabilitate from the surgery, whenever it takes place.
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The statement concludes: "We've done it before, and appreciate that times are hard for everyone, but if you can help by chipping in anything you can afford, no matter how small, it would help Callum through an incredibly tough period in his life - he wouldn't ask for this support himself - but he needs it more than ever."
Gribbin sent his heartfelt thanks to all those who have donated to his fundraiser on Twitter, writing: "Thank you so much to everyone who has donated." His GoFundMe target of £7,000 has nearly been met as of Tuesday evening, with kind-hearted fans stumping up over £5,900 to help him pay for the surgery he so desperately needs.