Marek Andrezj Szmid (born 2 March 1982) is an English retired professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Early life Szmid was born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. Club career Manchester United Szmid signed for Manchester United as a youth trainee in July 1998. He made his first appearance for United in the friendly against the San Diego Nomads in August. He scored his first goal for the club in the FA Premier Academy League under-17 match against Derby County on 12 September. United won the game 4−0. On 5 December, Szmid made his first appearance for the reserves; he replaced Lee Roche in the friendly against a Major League Soccer under-21 side. He featured in the NIVEA Junior Football Tournament in April 1999 and played against the likes of Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart as United were runners-up. In July, he played in every game as United participated in the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland. They lost 2−1 to Crewe Alexandra in the final. Szmid played in the Jersey Tournament in August 1999; he took part in the win versus Rangers and the defeat against Benfica. On 21 September, he signed his first professional contract with United. He played in the 2−1 defeat against Nottingham Forest in the FA Youth Cup third round at Gigg Lane. Szmid made 20 appearances as United finished third in Group B before falling to West Ham United in FA Premier Academy League under-19 playoffs. Post season he was part of the squad that took part in the International Youth Tournament hosted by Real Sociedad. He started all three group games against Sevilla, Osasuna, and Real Sociedad, but United failed to qualify for the final. In August 2000, Szmid played in the Bayern Munich Centenary Youth Tournament; he featured in four games and scored in the 2−2 draw with IFK Göteborg. He scored for the reserves in the friendly against Bristol City in September. The game, a testimonial for City's Buster Footman, finished 4−0 at Ashton Gate. He featured throughout United's run to the Manchester Senior Cup final but was an unused substitute in the final defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford in May 2001. He was released by United on 30 June. Szmid spent just over three years at United but failed to make a senior appearance. Southend United Szmid signed for Third Division club Southend United in November 2001. His first involvement with