Up Close To Irwin

Denis Irwin
By Scott Cooper
July 23 2002

Well, at last, we have a Right Back and what a Right Back we may have found. Wolves today announced that Man Utd Ace Denis Irwin had signed a 1yr Contract after signing on a bosman.

Wolves today announced the news that Denis Irwin had signed for Wolves`, now here is your chance to read all about the man in the spotlight.

This story is credited to www.manutd.com for Wanderersway.

Denis Irwin was 16 years old when he signed apprentice forms for Leeds United. He made a total of 72 appearances for the Yorkshire club before being released as a 20-year-old, on a free transfer, to join Oldham Athletic.

He helped the Latics to the League Cup final and FA Cup semi-final against United in 1990. His performances must have impressed Alex Ferguson, who paid £625,000 for his services in the summer of 1990.

In his first season at United, he was again on the losing side in a League Cup final, but winning a European Cup Winners' Cup medal more than compensated for this. Only 12 months later he was back at Wembley for yet another League Cup final. This time United won, beating Nottingham Forest.

In the 1992/93 Championship winning season, Irwin was an ever-present in the team, playing in 40 League games, scoring five goals (most notably a 30-yard strike from outside the area against Coventry City).

In the following season, 1993/94, he was ever-present again in the League and FA Cup as United won the Double for the first time. He was still a vital member of the team when they repeated the feat in 1995/96.

The next multiple triumph, the Treble in 1998/99, was slightly tarnished for Denis when he was harshly sent off against Liverpool for kicking the ball away. The subsequent suspension forced him to miss the FA Cup final against Newcastle, but kept him fresh for the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

The 1999/2000 season saw more of the same from Denis - quietly getting on with doing an excellent job for the Reds. Irwin was rested for brief spells throughout the title-winning year, as Sir Alex Ferguson took his advancing years into account. But 38 appearances over the course of the season, with three goals into the bargain, proved vital for yet another Championship.

Denis retired from international football in January 2000, but signed another one-year extension to his United contract at the end of the 1999/2000 term, to ensure he would complete a full decade of service at Old Trafford.

The decade was duly celebrated during 2000/01, starting with a testimonial match against Manchester City at Old Trafford. It was a full-blooded Derby; Denis himself was one of the players injured during United's 2-0 win.

Thankfully Denis recovered in time to again play his part in another successful season. One of his best performances was against Leicester City at Filbert Street, where his attacking play set up two goals for Sheringham.

Leicester City were also the opposition when Denis made his historic 500th appearance for United, at Old Trafford. It was perfectly timed for the Irishman, falling on St Patrick's Day, and just to make the occasion extra special, he captained the team to victory!

Denis was also captain on 5 May 2001 when United completed their home fixtures against Derby County and lifted the Premiership trophy for the seventh time.

Sadly the 2000/01 Continental campaign did not end in glory for United, but it still included some personal milestones for Denis. He scored the club's 200th goal in the European Cup/Champions League against Anderlecht, and then made his club record 50th appearance in the competition against PSV Eindhoven.

Despite playing in more than 25 games during 2000/01, Denis still had to ponder his future as his one-year deal approached its end. In January 2001, he said:

"I still feel fit. My contract is up this year, but I have about two and a half years of playing in me at the most.

"I'd be happy to drop down a division to keep going. I love playing football."

Denis decided to stay at United for another year and signed a new contract with the Reds on 6 July 2001. He was made captain for his final appearance for United, which came against Charlton on 11 May 2002. A glittering twelve-year career came to an end with a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.

Irwin then joined Wolves on the 13rd July 2002.