A former Manchester United academy player died in February with family having spotted a ‘sudden change in his mood’, an inquest has heard.

Vinicius de Oliveira Cabral de Souza, known as Vini, was found dead in his bedroom at the family home in Walkden on February 20.

De Souza has been born in Brazil and grew up in Portugal, before moving to Manchester 10 years ago.

His sister Mayara De Souza told the corner that her brother, who worked in a warehouse and played for Warrington Town, had repeatedly told friends and family ‘I let you down’.

The Manchester Evening News reported that De Souza’s family found it ‘unclear’ as to why he believed he had ‘disappointed’ them.

Former Manchester United academy player Vinicius de Oliveira Cabral de Souza died in February

De Souza had continued to play football for five years after leaving Man United, but suddenly stopped training with Warrington Town.

It was claimed his self-esteem had also been impacted when his acne returned after steroid cream he had been prescribed ran out. When doctors did not prescribe more of the cream, De Souza reportedly bought more online from India, despite his sister telling him not to use it. 

‘He stopped doing the things that he liked to do such as football, going to the gym and seeing friends,’ De Souza’s sister told Bolton Coroner’s Court. 

‘He started apologising about the way he treated us and we didn’t understand what he meant.

‘His best friend as well, he said the same to him and he said he doesn’t know why.’

Mayara De Souza added that she had told her brother of her concerns that he was depressed last December, but he ‘laughed at me’.

He reportedly declined to attend an offer of further sessions with a psychotherapist, after attending one in January.

De Souza had reportedly booked tickets to travel to Brazil in April, but was found dead in his bedroom.

Police concluded he had died as a result of ‘self-inflicted means by hanging’. Assistant coroner Stephen Teesdale was satisfied with the verdict and recorded the death as a ‘suicide’.

‘There’s nothing more you could have done, you did everything,’ Teesdale told De Souza’s sister and father.

‘You spotted the problem – depression. You made a plan, you sought professional assistance from a psychotherapist.

His family told Bolton Coroner’s Court that De Souza had spotted a ‘sudden change in his mood’ ahead of his death in February

‘You had a plan to take him to Brazil. There’s nothing more you could have done. He had an entirely supportive family. It was to do with how he saw the world.’

Warrington FC, following De Souza’s death in February, posted a tribute to the teenager.

‘The 19-year-old joined the club in 2023 and made an immediate impact with his fantastic technical ability, and has been a prominent part of the club’s youth setup,’ the club wrote.

‘Scorer of the most spectacular goals, Vini was a well respected, much-loved member of the club, and his ability earned him a place training with the first team despite his young age.

‘Over the past two seasons, Desouza has contributed 17 goals in 12 assists in 42 appearances from midfield across the Under 18s and Under 21s.’

Team-mate Sam Gill added: ‘Vini was a well loved and much valued player in our team. He grew into his character as his time at Warrington went on, and all of the lads had so much respect for him.

‘He was an extremely talented footballer with so much ability, had a major impact coming in with us and consequently earning his space for training and playing matches with the first team.

‘Vini is someone who will be missed dearly, both on the pitch and more importantly his character in the changing rooms and outside of football. We will all miss him and we send our condolences to his family at this difficult time.’

The club launched a fundraising campaign to help his family cover funeral costs, with nearly £15,000 raised.

Ex-Man United star Jesse Lingard was among those to contribute, with the former England international donating £5,000.

For help and support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or go to samaritans.org