Interview with Manchester United's best Full back: Denis Irwin

5 May 2001: Denis Irwin of Manchester United lifts the trophy and celebrates United's crowning as FA Carling Premier League Champions.

With 13 winner’s medals, Denis Irwin is the second most decorated player in Manchester United‘s rich history. Also, in a list headed by Ryan Giggs, Denis Irwin made 529 appearances in the red shirt – good for 8th on the list of most appearances for the club. Signed by Sir Alex Ferguson before the start of the 1990-91 season for £625,000, Irwin went on to help his team win the League cup and the European Cup winner’s cup in his first season at Old Trafford. The highlight of his 12 years of service to the club came at the age of 34 when he was named in the starting XI for the Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich at Camp Nou.

A decade after leaving Man Utd, he is now working for MUTV as a presenter. Speaking exclusively with Sportskeeda.com at the Airtel Soccer nights event, Denis Irwin gets nostalgic about his days at Leeds United, and also gives insights about the present full backs in the team.

1) Indian fans of Manchester United understand the rivalry between Man Utd and Liverpool, but not the animosity between Leeds and Man Utd. Tell us why there is so much hate among the fans of these two clubs?

I am not sure where the rivalry comes from, but I assume that it is because there are no other big clubs close to Leeds, so the natural rival is United as we are just down the motorway. Historically there is also the rivalry between Yorkshire and Lancashire because of the War of the Roses.

20 Feb 2000: Harry Kewell of Leeds United and Denis Irwin of Manchester United clash during the FA Carling Premiership game between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road in Leeds, England.

2) When you went back as a United player to Ellan Road, how did the fans treat you?

They didn’t treat me very well but that stopped when we signed Eric Cantona; then, he got the brunt by the fans.

3) Sir Alex described you as the greatest pound for pound signing he has ever made. According to you, who has been the best full back till date since you left United?

Evra in left back and Gary Neville, who was an unbelievably steady right back.

16 Aug 2000: George Weah of Man City gets the cold shoulder from Denis Irwin of Man Utd after his tackle during the Manchester United v Manchester City Denis Irwin Testimonial match at Old Trafford, Manchester.

4) You were carried off injured at your testimonial match. Do you still hold a grudge against George Weah?

No not really, injuries happen in football. I was more disappointed that I missed 5 weeks at the beginning of the season.

5) Why did you choose to enter Media instead of management?

I didn’t think management was for me.

1 Aug 2000: Dennis Irwin of Manchester United signs autographs for fans at the new Manchester United Team kit launch at Old Trafford, Manchester.

6) You played until you have 38. Do you think the current defenders can last that long?

Of course they can. With today’s training and nutritional requirements that they receive, they can keep playing, assuming that they look after themselves .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=EFmtjuIdL14

For those who have missed the Q&A with Quinton Fortune click here