It’s not often you get a youth-team boss with European Cup experience.

But Chris Casper can boast a Manchester United appearance in Austria against Rapid Vienna.

"We needed a result and won 2-0," he recalled. "It’s a good memory.

"We were helped at the time by the European rule that came out which meant a certain number of English players had to be involved, so a lot of the young lads got their chance in the squad."

Those young lads included David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Nicky Butt.

Casper, a defender, was in the famed Old Trafford class of ’92 which won the FA Youth Cup - the gifted crop that soon became known as Fergie’s fledglings.

It’s fair to say, life could have turned out very different for the son of former Burnley boss Frank.

Casper captained the England youth team and won the European Championships the following year. And in 1996 he was picked for the under-21s in the prestigious Toulon Tournament in France.

But outings for his club were few and far between. He played only twice as a substitute in the Premier League in January 1997, United winning both games at Tottenham and Coventry.

His starting appearance in an FA Cup fourth-round tie with Wimbledon, alongside the likes of Eric Cantona, proved to be his last.

Spells with Swindon, Bournemouth and Reading followed before disaster struck against Cardiff in 1999.

A tackle from Richard Carpenter broke his leg in two places - Casper’s playing career was over at 24.

He secured undisclosed damages from Carpenter in an out-of-court settlement. Ironically his lawyer was Jan Levinson, who had also acted for Gordon Watson against Kevin Gray.

With his playing days cruelly cut short, Casper turned to coaching.

While undergoing rehab in Bath, he coached Team Bath to the first-round proper of the FA Cup in 2002.

The following year, Casper pitched up at Bury to take the youth team before becoming the youngest manager in the country when he took over from Graham Barrow in 2005.

Considering the lifestyles of some former United team-mates, Casper could be forgiven for feeling a hint of bitterness at the cards he has been dealt. But he doesn’t.

He said: "There was never any of that, even to begin with. It’s part of football that unfortunately these things happen.

"Good luck to the other lads. There were some fantastic players who’ve all deserved everything they’ve got.

"We all worked extremely hard in that youth team and we had to. I’m really pleased to see them go on and have successful careers because they earned it.

"They were great times to look back on and a good set of lads. I still keep in touch with one or two.

"Now I’m hoping I can pass on my experiences to the young lads coming in to Bradford City. The big thing for me is being there to support the first team and hopefully produce the next set of home-grown talent.

"I know from throughout my own career how important that is."