Former Manchester United striker Brian McClair has transformed dramatically since retiring, catching even ex-teammates off guard with his new look at age 61.

Stunning Change Stuns Saha and Berbatov

McClair appeared in the dugout for Celtic during their September legends charity match against Manchester United. Now featuring long white hair and a bushy beard, the Scotland international revealed that former United forwards Louis Saha and Dimitar Berbatov failed to identify him upon entering the Celtic dressing room.

McClair recounted: “I had all the Celtic kit on and saw Louis Saha. He just looked up and said, ‘F****** hell, I didn’t recognise you.’ I said that was me tidied up and making an effort. Then I was outside and Berbatov was there and I said, ‘Hello, you all right?’ He just looked at me kind of strangely, but then I went back in again and he came over. He said, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t recognise you, I thought it might have been you but thought no, no, it couldn’t possibly be you.’ It was nice to be recognised anyway even under this cunning disguise.”

Lockdown Sparks Radical Makeover

McClair’s shift from his playing days’ short hair and clean-shaven style originated during lockdown. He explained: “It started in lockdown. I just thought: let things grow, see where we end up. Then, before Christmas, I decided to have a tidy up, but I never got round to it. I was out one night and next thing I saw I was trending on social media as ‘old man down the pub’. I’ve had the trim since. You’ll be disappointed to hear I look a wee bit less as though I’ve been cast away on a desert island.”

Jaap Stam recently posted a photo reuniting with Wes Brown and the strikingly altered ex-teammate.

Charity Clash Ends in Celtic Victory

McClair led a Celtic legends squad including Joe Hart, Artur Boruc, and Georgios Samaras, opposite Bryan Robson’s Manchester United team of Michael Carrick, Nicky Butt, and Wes Brown. Celtic triumphed via penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw, claiming their second straight win over the English side.

After retiring, McClair worked as Blackburn Rovers’ assistant manager from 1998 to 1999 and directed Manchester United’s youth academy from 2006 to 2015.