ISL 2017: The Manchester United connection in Season 4

Manchester United have a strong influence in the world of football and has one of the most distinguished records. They boast of a record of 20 League titles, 5 League Cups, 3 UEFA Champions Leagues, 21 FA Community Shields, and one each of UEFA Europa League, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

In a developing league like the ISL, the demand for players and coaches from such a club is enormous. Today, we look at the popular players and staffs in the ISL who have been part of the legendary club.

Tom Thorpe

Tom Thorpe is an academy graduate of Manchester United. He has made only one appearance for the senior team, but the fact that he is young and has fresh legs might give him an edge over the other defenders this season when he dons the Kolkata jersey. He is looked as one of the master signings made by ATK this year and is expected to be in the starting line-up for the first game.

Ashley Westwood

Ashley Westwood

Although the former Bengaluru FC head coach has not played any games for Manchester United, he graduated from the Manchester United academy. He has taken the Bengaluru team to two titles in three seasons, including their debut season. But he could not continue as the head coach of the side because he is not a marquee coach, as per the ISL rules and it hindered Bengaluru F.C.'s bid into the ISL.

He is now the technical director of the ATK team. He works along with another Manchester player Teddy Sheringham, who is the head coach of ATK. How the Bengaluru fans react on his arrival at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on ATK's away leg this season remains to be seen.

Wes Brown

Wes Brown

Wes Brown has been a part of MUFC from the age of 12. He has spent a major part of his career in the club and relates himself to it. He has won a number of titles with the team under the legendary coach Alex Ferguson. Brown first started playing as a centre back and then shifted to the right-back position in the latter stages of his career.

He has signed this season with the Kerala Blasters. Ironically enough, Rene Meulensteen, the technical director who helped him shift to the right-back position, is the head coach of the Blasters. Although it has been a while since he has played professionally, the experience he brings to the table is second to none.

Rene Meulensteen

Rene Meulensteen

Rene served as the technical director under the legendary Alex Ferguson at MUFC. Having learnt his trade from one of the best, and having had a good coaching stint at Fulham, Rene has now landed in God's Own Country to coach the Kerala Blasters side for the 4th season.

At first look, he appears to be one of the most technically qualified coaches this season. He has been following the league since it's inception and has now signed a 3-year deal with the Blasters. It is believed that it is his presence that has drawn three ex-Manchester United players to the Blasters squad this season -- Dimitar Berbatov, Wes Brown and Paul Rachubka.

Teddy Sheringham

Teddy Sheringham

The head coach of ATK, Teddy Sheringham, has had a stint with MUFC as a striker. He made 104 appearances for the team and has scored 31 goals. In his coaching career, he was first the attacking coach of West Ham United, where he was praised for the change in the style he brought. But his next stint at League Two side Stevanage didn't end well with him being sacked. But now he has signed with the Kolkata team as the coach and is looking forward to an exciting season with a team that has won the trophy two times out of three seasons. It is believed his presence has influenced the signing of legendary striker Robbie Keane to ATK.

Steve Coppell

Steve Coppell

Steve Coppell has played a whopping 322 matches in Manchester United colours. He has also had a successful managerial career. He had a very successful season when he coached the Kerala Blasters side last season. He was known to read the game of the opposition in the first half and adapt his team in the second half according to the needs.

The result was exciting, close wins with the Blasters scoring many late goals. But following lack of interest by the management in him this year, Coppell has agreed to be the coach of new entrants-Jamshedpur F.C. It remains to be seen how the Blasters fans have received their dear "Coppell-aashan" coaching another team.

Dimitar Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov, one of the biggest names in world football, let alone ISL, and is known for his successful partnership with Wayne Rooney in the front line, is by far the largest MUFC name to set foot in the ISL. Although he is past his prime, and not having played professional football for over a year, his arrival was received by the fans of Kerala Blasters F.C. with much delight.

His influence in the game for Kerala Blasters FC is something to look forward to for the fans this season. He is said to have become slow due to his age but his passes and finishing remain as beautiful as ever.

Paul Rachubka

Paul Rachubka

The foreign goalkeeper of this year's ISL for Kerala Blasters is Paul Rachubka. He was a MUFC graduate but has made only one appearance for the senior team. The major part of his playing career was spent at various teams.

He is sometimes criticised for the lack of grip he has on the ball which has cost his team dearly few times. But his reflexes were commendable during the prime stage of his career. But considering his lack of game time in the past 2 years, it remains to be seen how he fares between the sticks this season.