Max Haygarth

Maxwell James Haygarth (born 21 January 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger or midfielder for club Altrincham.

Haygarth is a product of the Manchester United academy and began his senior career with Brentford in 2021. After failing to break into the first team squad and a period as a free agent, he transferred to Linfield in 2023, for whom he appeared sparingly before his release in early 2024. Three months later, he entered non-League football with Altrincham.

Manchester United
A winger or midfielder, Haygarth entered the Manchester United academy at age 9 and progressed to sign a scholarship in 2018. Despite suffering from recurring injury problems, he made appearances for the club's U18 and U23 teams and departed Carrington in January 2021.

Brentford
On 16 October 2020, Haygarth joined the B team at Championship club Brentford on loan until January 2021. He won his maiden call into the first team squad for a league match against Nottingham Forest on 12 December 2020 and made his debut as a substitute for Emiliano Marcondes late in the 3–1 win. On 4 January 2021, Haygarth transferred to the club on a permanent basis and signed a $1 1/2$-year contract, with the option of a further year. He made two FA Cup appearances in January 2021, but was not involved in Brentford's successful 2021 playoff campaign, which clinched promotion to the Premier League.

Haygarth trained with the first-team squad during the 2021–22 pre-season and was named in each matchday squad during the period. His only senior call-up of the 2021–22 regular season came on 20 November 2021, when he remained an unused substitute during a 3–3 Premier League draw with Newcastle United. Following 28 appearances for the B team in just under two seasons with Brentford, Haygarth was released when his contract expired at the end of the 2021–22 season.

Linfield
Following trials with English Football League clubs Luton Town, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City, Haygarth joined NIFL Premiership club Linfield on trial in late December 2022. On 7 January 2023, it was announced that he had signed a contract running until the end of the 2022–23 season. Haygarth made 10 appearances and scored one goal, which came two minutes after coming on as an 80th-minute substitute on his debut, with the final goal in a 6–1 victory over Glenavon.

Haygarth signed a new one-year contract in June 2023. Following just one County Antrim Shield appearance during the first half of the 2023–24 season, his contract was terminated by mutual consent on 5 January 2024.

Altrincham
On 12 March 2024, Haygarth joined National League club Altrincham on a contract running until the 2023–24 season. He made just one appearance before the end of the campaign, which culminated in defeat in the National League play-off semi-finals. Haygarth was invited to return to the club for the 2024–25 pre-season and he signed a new contract in June 2024.

Style of play
Haygarth has been described as "a technical operator in the middle of the park or attack, who is capable of making a real impact on matches".

Personal life
While a player with Brentford, Haygarth lived in Windsor.

Career statistics
