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A MANCHESTER UNITED Treble-winning star looks totally unrecognisable as manager of non-league side Scarborough Athletic.

The former midfielder, now 44, was famous for his luscious long locks as he spent three years at Old Trafford and was even part of the historic 1998-99 team.

The ex-Manchester United man is now manager of National League North side Scarborough Athletic
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The ex-Manchester United man is now manager of National League North side Scarborough AthleticCredit: @SAFC
A former Manchester United star looks totally unrecognisable after retiring in 2017
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A former Manchester United star looks totally unrecognisable after retiring in 2017Credit: Instagram
Dyed blonde hair and a skin fade is a far cry from his playing days
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Dyed blonde hair and a skin fade is a far cry from his playing daysCredit: Instagram
The body is still in good shape and the beard is grown out
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The body is still in good shape and the beard is grown outCredit: Instagram

After featuring alongside the likes of David Beckham, Gary Neville and Roy Keane, he left United in 2001 to get more regular football.

The 5ft 11ins ace, born in Scarborough, then spent a further nine seasons starring in the Premier League, racking up 252 appearances in England's top flight.

But he finished his career with Yorkshire side Tadcaster Albion in the Northern Premier League Division One North, eventually retiring in 2017.

He took over as Scarborough Athletic manager in 2021, guiding them to promotion from the Northern Premier League.

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And he has also undergone a complete physical change-up by ditching his shoulder-length hair and growing out his beard.

And there is more than a hint of a hipster version of hilarious comedian Lee Mack with his new appearance.

These days he sports a greying, long beard and glasses to go with his much shorter quiff hairstyle.

But a standout photo posted in April 2020 showed the ex-Red Devil sitting topless in the sunshine with a slim physique, heart-shaped shades, a salt-and-pepper beard and a dyed blonde trim completed by a glorious skin fade.

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He made 252 Premier League appearances for four clubs
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He made 252 Premier League appearances for four clubsCredit: Instagram
The glasses are another new addition to his dramatic change in appearance
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The glasses are another new addition to his dramatic change in appearanceCredit: Instagram

Former Arsenal and Wales striker John Hartson compared him to "Neymar" while Bobby Zamora added: "Look a lot better."

That is because the player was synonymous with long hair during his playing days.

And the mystery footballer can be revealed as... Jonathan Greening.

Greening managed seven appearances in the memorable 1998-99 season - three in the League Cup, one in the FA Cup and three in the Premiership.

However, the centre-mid did not get a single minute of action in the Champions League that year.

But he was an unused sub in the memorable final against Bayern Munich as Sir Alex Ferguson's side added the European Cup to their FA Cup and Premier League titles.

Greening, who made 17 England Under-21 appearances but never played for the senior Three Lions, then had three successful seasons with Middlesbrough before moving to West Brom in 2004.

He had spells with Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Barnsley before returning to his roots with boyhood club York City and Tadcaster Albion.

Greening married wife Anna in 2002 and they have a daughter, Sydney, 22, and two sons, Troy, 18, and Travis, 14.

The mystery footballer is Jonathan Greening
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The mystery footballer is Jonathan GreeningCredit: Reuters
He spent three seasons with Manchester United alongside the likes of David Beckham and Andy Cole
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He spent three seasons with Manchester United alongside the likes of David Beckham and Andy ColeCredit: PA:Press Association
The midfielder, between Wes Brown and Ryan Giggs, was an unused sub in the 1999 Champions League final
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The midfielder, between Wes Brown and Ryan Giggs, was an unused sub in the 1999 Champions League finalCredit: Getty - Contributor
He enjoyed his longest spell playing for West Brom
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He enjoyed his longest spell playing for West BromCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Greening is married to Anna and they have three kids
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Greening is married to Anna and they have three kidsCredit: Instagram

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