If he could go back, Nick Powell would change everything about his time at Manchester United. A lot has happened since. In fact, after years of being ‘unprofessional’ & ‘selfish’, his whole outlook on life changed at 25. An interview I’ll never forget.
There are still a lot of things we don't know about Nick Powell. And for good reason.
From growing up at boyhood club Crewe, where he would often eat McDonald's before delivering performances that would attract interest from some of England's elite, to drinking red wine and playing Call of Duty until 2am in the morning throughout Wigan's promotion-winning season."Before the age of 25, I was never in the right frame of mind," he tells. “I never wanted to help people. I was so selfish.
“I eventually had a conversation with her mum and she said, 'Cash is great, but inflation is going to kill it. You save for five years but what you've kept in those five years isn't going to be what it was worth previously.' Obviously, at 22, I'm asking, 'What the f**k is she on about? I don't understand what you mean by that.
"Through the business, our plan is to go into football clubs and talk to their 18-21-year-olds, so we can prepare them from an educational side," he explains. “From a young age, you see this typical lifestyle and automatically think what a life that is. But what about the future? Powell has seen it happen first-hand and wants to prepare players for life after football as early as possible.
But the midfielder has raised questions over certain jobs in football and the financial implications attached to those roles. "But I think the love of the game will always hit you, whether you play one game a season or 46 games a season. I think just being on that pitch once makes you fall back in love with football each time. After an injury, I want to get back on the football pitch to prove I'm still good."
"Other people have retired, and others have gone a lot lower than I have. I've managed to sort of maintain a level on a Saturday.”Before that significant operation, Powell would arrive at Old Trafford with a growing reputation. A host of topclubs, including Chelsea and Arsenal, made their interest known but a chat with Sir Alex Ferguson would convince him to join United, although things didn’t get off to the best of starts.
On the day he was presented as a United player alongside another new arrival, Shinji Kagawa, a delighted Ferguson described the teenager as an"exceptional talent" after months of scouting. A deal worth up to £6 million based on future success and appearances was reported. He was understandably ecstatic with a goal in front of 70,000 fans but soon, he would feel the notorious wrath of“I'd just scored against Wigan and I got bullied into doing an MUTV interview after the game," Powell remembers.
"Anyway, he [Ferguson] apologised to me two hours later. He said it wasn't my fault and was angry at something else. But in my opinion, he didn't come back to say sorry. It was more; he might have thought that would fester with me, so he came over and was like listen, something else was under my bonnet. We're sweet.
"And do you know what, I don't look back and go, 'Oh cry for me.' Now I'm older and I see things in a different light. I think, what an experience to see that day to day. At least I got to see what a top top team and a club looks like. And that's what I take from United. "I would play five games in a row, and then have a little tweak of a hamstring which kept me out for two weeks. Or then I'd come back and play like I've missed two weeks of training and try to run for 90 minutes. It just wasn't working.”
“But yeah, like I said, that's laziness. It's not professional. If you're that in love with football, and that in love with getting better, you either pay for a chef or learn to cook. I'm the tightest man alive so I'm thinking, 'I'm not paying someone to cook me some food in my own house.' He made his feelings clear about a return to Old Trafford during that loan spell at Hull."I just said, 'Listen, I don't really want to go back to United. There's nothing there for me. And two months later I got a letter saying I was released. And that was that.
“I'd change everything [about my time at United], especially my attitude towards it," he admits."I was very nice. I'd go to training, try not to annoy anyone and just sort of fit in. I'd just do what I needed to do. "We also had a good team. It sounds bad but I think we all knew we were going to get promoted. You could have that time to relax. You could have the extra drink if you wanted to. We had such a good year that I didn't feel like I needed to be professional.
Everything, including his work ethic and mentality to life, changed under Jones."I'd go in early and then leave late because I ended up liking the hard word," he says."I'd go in the gym after training, go in the ice bath and recover properly. I'd always do extra work. I would make sure my body was right.
Powell, who is talking to us as his children chat in the background, also says it was an eye-opener when they entered the world."I finally get to a point where I'm thinking, 'Wow, I've got kids. I need to provide for a family. I need to change my life.' When you have kids, it pushes you to do more. Family life is massive for me. That will always trump work.
"I mean, if I was purely chasing money, I'd have happily gone. I've got no problem saying that. If I was gonna get £10 million like everyone else, you best believe I'd have been there. But no, there were conversations. There just wasn't anything concrete.”
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
The down-to-earth Manchester United legend who is there at every single game'I never thought when I got the job I’d still be there 23 years later.”
Consulte Mais informação »
Manchester United could get more bonus signings in the transfer window£179.2m has already been invested in three signings by Man United this summer and there could still be more arrivals.
Consulte Mais informação »
Manchester United eyeing targets running down contracts in next summer windowMason Mount joined Man United with less than 12 months remaining on his Chelsea contract and several renowned players could be in the same position next summer.
Consulte Mais informação »
Manchester United eye summer move for Rangers keeper Robby McCrorieManchester United have made an initial approach to sign Rangers keeper Robby McCrorie this summer.
Consulte Mais informação »
Manchester United announce they have agreed deal to sell midfielder FredManchester United midfielder Fred is set to join Fenerbahce after a deal was agreed between the two clubs. talkSPORT revealed on Thursday how the Turkish side was set to secure the services of the …
Consulte Mais informação »
Manchester United now have the manager and players to start their own eraSamuel Luckhurst previews Erik ten Hag's second season at Man United, who have to hope 2023 marks the start of their own era.
Consulte Mais informação »