Rotherham United trialist identified as ex-Manchester United and Notts County defender Sonny Aljofree
A former Manchester United defender has been identified as a Rotherham United trialist
Rotherham United have handed a trial opportunity to free agent defender Sonny Aljofree.
The 21-year-old is a centre-back who was released by Premier League giants Manchester United at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
He did not manage a first-team breakthrough at Old Trafford but featured regularly at youth level. Senior exposure was provided by loan spells, as the Red Devils sent Aljofree to Altrincham, Accrington Stanley and Notts County.
He spent the first half of last season with the latter, making 11 appearances for the League One club before being recalled in January.
Rotherham United take on trialist
Aljofree has now been pictured with the Rotherham squad in Derbyshire, where the Millers are taking on non-league outfit Matlock Town in a pre-season friendly.
According to the Rotherham Advertiser’s Paul Davis, Aljofree has started the game alongside fellow trialists Brandon Williams and Kyle Vassell.
Aljofree will be well-known to Rotherham’s head of football Steve McClaren, who is a former Manchester United coach.
In order to earn a contract, the young defender will have to impress newly-appointed Millers head coach Alex Bruce.
Sonny Aljofree profile
Described as a “modern-day defender”, Aljofree is a centre-back by trade but can also operate at full-back.
When he signed for Notts County last year, the club’s director of football Roberto Gagliardi said: “Sonny has all the traits of a modern-day defender – balancing an aggressive playing style with the ability to distribute the ball from the back.
“He’s capable of playing anywhere across the defensive line, mainly being deployed in a back four for Manchester United but often on the right of a back three during his impressive loan at Accrington.
“Sonny’s maturity is reflected in the leadership roles he’s been given and the high esteem he’s held in by United. Combined with the fact he’s the son of former Plymouth defender, Hasney Aljofree, he has a very strong footballing pedigree.
“We faced strong competition from a number of League One clubs to sign him and we look forward to supporting his continued development.”