Exclusive: former Manchester United academy star on life after missing first-team chance
The defender was part of Pianese's push for Serie B promotion this term. The club, which plays in Italy's third tier, ended the season in sixth place in Group 2, securing a play-off berth. Although they fell short of promotion, it demonstrated that the team is moving in a positive direction.
Pianese is based in the modest town of Piancastagnaio in Siena, far from the glamour of top-level football. It is at this Tuscan club that Ercolani has found enjoyment in his football career. He has made more than 50 appearances for them, having joined in 2025 following a stint at Foggia.
Reflecting on his current situation, the Italian told Flashscore: “I feel far more confident physically. I have stayed free of injury for three or four seasons now, so I have no complaints.
“I still believe I can get better in certain areas and I am working on that. However, I feel I am as close as I can be to the best version of myself.”
Physical fitness has been a recurring theme in Ercolani's professional journey. The defender has managed well despite a knee injury that derailed his Manchester United opportunity, and he looks back on his time at Old Trafford with fondness.
Now aged 26, he recalls how the move to Old Trafford first came about. It happened unexpectedly in 2016 while he was playing for Forli's youth team.
“Interest from United first emerged around 2014 when I was still with a youth team in Italy. One day, a man came up to me and said he was a scout for Manchester United. Initially, I found it hard to believe. I could not imagine being close to someone like him. From that moment, the journey began.”
That man was David Williams, who played a crucial role in bringing Federico Macheda and Giuseppe Rossi to Manchester United.
“He wished to meet my family and understand me as an individual. Over time, he returned to watch me on several occasions. I continued to perform well, and eventually he decided I should have a trial in Manchester.”
Ercolani describes the whole episode as surreal. He was just 15 at the time, playing for the youth side of a club that was not even in Italy's top two divisions. United's decision to sign him ignited his dream of becoming a professional.
“United attempted to sign me after the second trial, which took place six months after the first. When the Italian scout informed me of the significant interest, it felt surreal. I could barely contain my excitement and was constantly dreaming about it.
“I was eager to move to England, but I had to wait until my 16th birthday to comply with FIFA regulations. It turned my life around; it was surreal. As a young person, I had to relocate to another country. However, my mind was filled only with the ambition to play professionally.”
Life in England was far from easy for the 16-year-old Ercolani. He started playing for Manchester United's Under 18s but found himself in an entirely unfamiliar environment, which is always tough for a teenager.
He told Flashscore about how his teammates assisted him: “The first few days were very odd. I felt extremely lonely in an unfamiliar world. Having spent 15 years at home with my parents and friends every day.
“It was fairly strange, but I have to say I adapted reasonably well. A major benefit was that many of my teammates were also from abroad, coming from Spain, France and other European countries. That helped me a great deal.”
Ercolani adapted quickly, which led to a rapid rise through the ranks. During the 2017/18 season, he featured for United in the UEFA Youth League and broke into the Under 21s side the following campaign.
At that stage, the Italian started catching the eye of the first-team. The manager at the time, Jose Mourinho, monitored his progress and called him up for training with the senior squad on several occasions.
The Portuguese's successor, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, was also interested in seeing more of him, and the Norwegian kept Ercolani involved with the first-team squad.
This gave hope to the youngster, who appeared close to making his debut under Solskjaer.
That opportunity was quickly taken away when Ercolani suffered a knee injury that altered the course of his career.
With a hint of regret, he said: “Before my knee injury, I was likely the nearest defender from the Under 23s to train with the first-team once or twice a week. I was a regular for the Under 23s under Mourinho.”
He remembers how Solskjaer gave first-team debuts to several academy products during United's Europa League group match against Astana in Kazakhstan. Without the knee injury, Ercolani should have made his debut that day as well.
“Unfortunately, the knee injury occurred and coincidentally, that same year, most of the starting eleven from the Under 23s made their debuts in Kazakhstan against Astana in a Europa League fixture.”
“Angel Gomes, D'Shon Bernard and Tahith Chong made their debuts, and unfortunately I was on the sidelines. I was really pleased for them, but the timing was terrible for me. That was the nearest I ever came to making a first-team debut.”
The ACL injury came at the worst possible time for Ercolani in many respects. Lockdown restrictions due to COVID-19 turned the recovery process into an entirely different kind of challenge.
Describing the experience, he said: “I never considered quitting, but when I returned to Italy for my ACL rehabilitation, it was frightening. During that period, everyone had more time to reflect, and I was no different. I overthought things. I was contemplating how to come back and how to return as my contract was expiring. There were many thoughts swirling around.”
Family and friends were instrumental in helping the defender get through that period. Although he is grateful for that in hindsight, Ercolani admits he had chances to go out on loan before the knee troubles began. He opted not to take those opportunities, but with the benefit of hindsight, he would reconsider that choice.
“There were only limited opportunities after the knee injury. The only options available were loans to lower leagues, such as below League One. I was not interested. That was unfortunate because I could have gone out on loan before the injuries, and it would have accelerated my development as a player.”
The injury proved to be a turning point in Ercolani's career. Soon after, he received the unwelcome news that Manchester United would not extend his contract and he would have to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Even though this changed the course of his career, Ercolani is happy that he still managed to play professionally after the setback. In some ways, his release came at just the right time.
“When Nicky Butt informed me that the club would not be renewing my contract, I tried to remain calm, I took it well and I was eager for the next challenge. I was 21, my goal was to play first-team football, and I viewed it as the appropriate moment to do so.
“I could have begun earlier, but I had no alternative but to start as soon as I possibly could.”
In 2021, he left Manchester United and signed for Carpi, who were playing in Serie C at that time. He also had stints at Alessandria and Foggia before becoming a regular at Pianese from the 2024/25 season onwards.
Reflecting on the past, he acknowledges that his career would have been very different without the injuries. A single appearance, perhaps against Astana, could have changed his life completely. However, he now strongly believes in fate and looks back on his career with fondness.
“I believe my career could have taken a different turn, but everyone has their own journey and if something is meant to happen, it will happen. Misfortune can strike anyone. I have always attempted to make my own luck, and I am aware that just one appearance at United could have been life-changing.”
Even though things did not go as planned at United, the experience moulded him into the person he is today. He gained more than just football knowledge during his time at Old Trafford.
“What I gained was more than just a football career. It helped me develop mentally, physically, and as an individual. I met many people, learned a new language, and I can honestly say I am a better person because of that. I will forever be thankful to everyone at the club, who have always treated me like family.”
The link with United has not faded either. During lockdown, the club assisted Ercolani considerably, giving him the opportunity to work towards his UEFA B coaching badges.
“During my ACL rehab, United offered me the UEFA B coaching badge, which I completed with Neil Bailey, a member of the FA. It helped me take my mind off football once I had finished my recovery.”
Adding his thanks, he said: “I believe I have been very fortunate with United because they provide a lot of support to players even after they leave the academy. I remain a member of the FA, and United as a club offers me many courses to undertake. If I return to Manchester, I am confident I could receive assistance from the club to work with them or enrol in a university course.”
Ercolani thinks the same is not necessarily the case in Italy, where players can struggle if they leave top academies. That does not sit well with him.
“Italy is very different. In the third division, it is difficult to find a club that offers this kind of support, but I believe clubs should look after players during and after their time at the club. It is always beneficial to maintain contact once a player departs, to preserve the bond and the relationship built, and it helps create opportunities for everyone involved.”
Although Ercolani never played for Manchester United, he remains connected to the club because their initial encouragement during lockdown set him on the educational path.
He now holds a degree in Food Science and Gastronomy and is also working on a thesis about nutrition through the Universita San Raffaele Di Roma.
He regularly balances football with his studies and is in the best physical condition of his life. This enables him to play consistently for Pianese, where he has left his injury problems well behind. Despite everything, the defender still harbours ambitions of working in football after his playing days are over.
Although he is unsure whether that would be in a coaching or directorial role, Ercolani is convinced that football extends far beyond what takes place on the pitch. He offers advice to his younger self about why that really matters.
“I would say it is vital to build relationships, both in football and outside of it, but just as you are careful on the pitch to do the right things, you should also be careful off the pitch about who you spend time with and the people you surround yourself with.”
“That is what I have learned over the 10 years of my career.”