“roy keane passed the trophy down to barthez, then i happened to be next in line. i felt a bit awkward”

LUKE CHADWICK

You joined Manchester United’s academy as a teenager. How did that come about?

As a 14-year-old, I was spotted playing and invited up to Manchester United for a week's trial with a group of other lads from around the country. We took part in a trial match against Luton and it went well. Then Sir Alex Ferguson came into the dressing room and introduced himself. We had no idea he was there. I was thinking, ‘Oh my goodness, what is happening here?’ At the end of the week, my mum picked me up from the train station and told me that Sir Alex had been on the phone to ask if I’d sign – he rang personally. I was absolutely gobsmacked. It was a mark of the man that he cared enough about the youngsters to do that. It was a dream come true and I couldn’t say yes quickly enough.

You rose through the United ranks during a productive era for the academy – were there any other future stars in your team?

I was in the same youth team as Wes Brown, who was earmarked as a future star. John O’Shea was another who went on to enjoy a wonderful career. They were the two from my youth team who did great things at the club. There was also David Healy, who had a good career elsewhere.

You made your bow in October 1999, when Manchester United were reigning European champions. What was it like for you to get selected at that time?

My first appearance was in a Monday night League Cup game – the sort of match when Sir Alex would often throw on some young players. We were up against Aston Villa and Dion Dublin was playing for them that night. I was starstruck, as I’d grown up a massive Cambridge United supporter and Dion was a legend there when I was a kid. We lost 3-0 and when we walked back into the dressing room, Sir Alex was going berserk at us, saying that we might be young players but this was still Manchester United and losing like that is unacceptable. I listened, but secretly I was just pleased to have made an appearance for the first team. I couldn’t stop smiling.

Describe your spell with Royal Antwerp – how did Belgian football compare to what you were used to?

United offered me a professional contract and I felt like I’d made it. Unfortunately I lost focus and didn’t keep myself very fit over the summer; I got back and was disap