Stephen Ireland has discussed a potential move to Manchester United as former Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish tried to make it happen.
Ireland joined Villa in 2010 as part of the deal which saw James Milner join Manchester City.
The Republic of Ireland international played his first season under Gerard Houllier after Martin O’Neil had left in controversial circumstances.
Ireland was dropped by the French manager who came out and said the midfielder needed to up his game and work harder.
He went on loan to Newcastle United six months after joining the Villains before coming back, after the late Houllier had sadly left the club.
McLeish came in, as new manager, from Birmingham City to a lot of opposing views from Villa fans.
This saw Ireland given a fresh start under a new boss, and that is definitely what he got.
What did Alex McLeish say to Stephen Ireland?
While in 2011/12 pre-season, the Scottish manager took a liking to the midfielder.
Ireland claimed that he ‘had a really good pre-season’ and as a result was looking forward to the season ahead.
McLeish must have agreed with the Irishman saying: “you’re too good to be here.
“You’re playing balls around the corner, doing things first time, that the lads just aren’t on the same wavelength as you.”
Considering he only made two Premier League appearances on loan the previous season, the jump in quality seems odd.
The strange nature continues when he said: “I’m going to give Sir Alex a call for you.”
Insinuating that a move to Manchester United could be on the cards is a shock and obviously never materialised.
As it happened a loan to Stoke City in 2013 was next, which was made permanent after a season.
Four years and a relegation at the Bet 365, resulted in a move to Bolton Wanderers where he didn’t make an appearance and retired.
Not quite the move to Old Trafford to win Premier League titles that McLeish promised.
