It’s not often that one gets to mingle with a former legendary Manchester United player. In Bangladesh, it has happened only once before, when Bryan Robson and Dwight Yorke were here in 2012.
Now it was Denis Joseph Irwin’s turn to grace the football-mad country with his presence.
Courtesy of Airtel Bangladesh Limited, a scouting programme titled ‘Airtel Rising Stars’ has entered its second year. Over a span of six months, 12 talented footballers from around the country will be selected from no less than 20,000 players for a week-long training camp at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Former United defender Irwin was Airtel’s chief guest at a press conference at the Westin Dhaka on Wednesday, where the details of the scouting programme were announced.
Last year, Robson and Yorke made the trip for the inaugural edition of the ‘Airtel Rising Stars’ programme.
Renowned as a full-back in his playing days, Irwin spoke in glowing terms about the prospect of a budding Bangladeshi footballer representing the English Premier League champions in the future.
‘Bangladesh is getting better and better. Football in Bangladesh is getting more popular and the game is on the up in the country. Hopefully one day you’ll get a player from Bangladesh. I have no doubt,’ Irwin said.
‘When [the 2012 batch] went to Carrington, Manchester United’s training ground, for a week, you only had to look at the lads and the joy in their faces. How far in the future that will be I don’t know. It might take years but it will be worth the wait,’ he added.
Born in Cork, the 47-year-old former Republic of Ireland international had an illustrious career with the Red Devils, as United is fondly referred to by its fans. Irwin spent 12 highly successful seasons at Old Trafford, winning a host of trophies under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Alongside former English defenders Gary Pallister and Steve Bruce, Irwin was one-third of the famous triumvirate which formed the bedrock of the highly successful United side of the 1990s.
The Irish full-back tasted Premier League glory seven times between 1990 and 2002, during which time he also won three FA Cups, one League Cup, one Intercontinental Cup and the Champions League in 1999.
The Colaiste Chriost Ri-pupil attributed all his achievements to one man – gaffer Fergie.
‘[Sir Alex] Ferguson. He was a fantastic manager. Twenty-six and a half years, won plenty of trophies. I played under him for 12 years. Certainly my best time as a footballer. I enjoyed it and it was a pleasure to work under him. Sir Alex was a tremendous, unbelievable manager. One of the very best that ever lived,’ said Irwin.
Irwin currently works for Manchester United Television and Ireland’s Sunday World newspaper. In his capacity as a former player, he also helps out United in whatever way he can.
Irwin expressed his delight at being around the club he loves.
‘I do an awful lot of work with Bryan Robson, who is involved heavily with the club. As [are] Dwight Yorke, Andrew Cole and Quinton Fortune. All ex-players doing their bit. Peter Schmeichel too,’ said Irwin.
‘Most of the members of the 1999 Champions League-winning side are involved with the club, which is good to see. Good to see that Ryan Giggs is still playing, who has also taken on a coaching role. Phil Neville and Nicky Butt are down there as well, coaching the Under-21s. I absolutely love it,’ he added.
-With New Age input
