LUKE CHADWICK has revealed he was left battling depression and anxiety after being mocked for his appearance.
The former midfielder was on the books at Old Trafford between 1997 and 2004.
Chadwick came through the United youth system, winning the in 2001.
He would go to play for West Ham, Stoke and MK Dons in a near two-decade career.
Ahead of releasing his autobiography Not Just a Pretty Face, the 44-year-old has opened up about abuse he suffered as a young pro.
Chadwick admits cruel comments about his appearance made him want to hide away in his house in the early stages of his career.
He told BBC Sport: “As a 19, 20-year-old it should have been the best time of my life but for a period of time.
“I didn’t want to go to the shops, I didn’t want to go out with my friends.
“I would just want to stay at home because I was so scared that people would talk about the way that I looked.
“I wasn’t able to speak about it to anyone – not even my family, my friends – it was something that I kept so deep inside.
“I probably felt helpless, in a way, because I just didn’t know how to deal with it. And I just wanted it to stop, really.”;
Chadwick’s anxiety improved after moving away from Old Trafford to join the Hammers in 2004.
He continued: “It wasn’t until I came away from Manchester United, and the spotlight’s not on you as much.
“I was able to rebuild my confidence and live a really happy life.
“Football was always the place I felt free – the place where I didn’t think about anything else.”;
Chadwick also received an apology from for comments made on the BBC show They Think It’s All Over.
Lineker was a team captain on the panel show, which regularly poked fun at Chadwick over his looks.
The England legend wrote on X in 2020: “I was part of that show, therefore, I too would like to apologise to Luke Chadwick for any hurt caused.”;
