 In October 1996, Appleton made his Manchester United début in the 2–1 League Cup victory versus Swindon Town.Appleton's second and last game for the Red Devils was a 2–0 defeat at Filbert Street against Leicester City.In January 1997, Appleton joined Grimsby Town on a two-month loan from United, scoring three goals in 10 league matches for the Mariners against Swindon Town, Barnsley and United's Manchester rivals; Manchester City.