5 star footballers who were rejected as youngsters

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 30: West Ham defender Tony Gale challenges Ian Wright of Arsenal during the FA Premiership match at Highbury on April 30, 1994 in London, England.  (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Allsport/Getty Images)
Ian Wright is one of Arsenal’s best ever players

#3 Steve Bruce

Steve Bruce and  Bryan Robson of Manchester United : News Photo
Steve Bruce(L) helped build the foundations of the Manchester United empire

Managing Aston Villa back to some sort of decency is not a task for the faint of heart, so it’s easy to understand why Steve Bruce opted to take up the challenge a few months ago.

As a developing young player and schoolboy footballer, long before he reached the upper echelons of stardom with Manchester United, he wasn’t fancied by a lot of clubs who gave him trials and chances to make it. Bruce was rejected by Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough and even Burnley before ultimately getting some time to showcase his talents in the unlikely setting of Gillingham.

Years later, he became a three-time winner of the Premier League and one of the most accomplished centre-backs in the game as he helped build the foundations of the Red Devils’ seemingly unstoppable empire under Sir Alex Ferguson.

He is a beacon of hope for starlets everywhere that with persistence, dedication and hard work, one can burn brightly. Inspirational.

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