Dan Torpey - Senior Academy Physiotherapist at Man United
A Keele University graduate has scored his “dream job” working with Manchester United – where he is helping the club’s rising stars recover from injuries and improve their on-pitch performance.
Dan Torpey graduated from university in 2004 with a physiotherapy degree and now works for the Premier League club as a Senior Academy Physiotherapist. He was in the dugout at Old Trafford when the under 18s side were crowned FA Youth Cup winners in 2022 in front of 67,492 supporters. The team included Alejandro Garnacho, now a regular first team player, and Kobbie Mainoo, who was recently called up to the senior England squad for the first time.
Dan said: “I’ve always wanted to be a physiotherapist since being at school, but to be doing the job at Manchester United, the team I have supported all my life, is a dream come true.
“The Youth Cup final in 2022 is one of my proudest moments as a physio. It was unbelievable to be pitch side with more than 60,000 people in the crowd. Running onto the pitch in the final as a physio when one of our players needed help or treatment is something I will never forget.”
After leaving Keele, Dan landed the first job he applied for – a physiotherapy role in the NHS. He spent close to 12 years working in the NHS, during which time he also gained experience in the academy at Bolton Wanderers and in 2010, he managed to get his foot in the door at his boyhood club.
He said: “I realised working in football was what I wanted to do, and when I got the opportunity, I gradually started to reduce my hours in the NHS and increased them at Manchester United. In 2016 I started to work full-time at the club with the 9 to 16-year-old players, and in 2019 I was promoted to work in the professional development phase (under 18s to under 23s).
“My current role includes providing pitch side physio for the U23s squad and rehabilitation for players in the U18-23 squads. I was involved with the under 19 squad that took part in the UEFA Youth League this season and got to travel to fixtures in Istanbul, Munich and Copenhagen, which was another brilliant experience.”
Reflecting on his time spent at Keele, Dan said: “The course was full with content and I spent a lot of time studying, but I found it interesting and all the tutors were excellent. We had quite a few placements in health settings in the local area and they were great for experiencing what the job was like in the real world and getting you prepared for your career.”