Time to move on - - The official of Alan Tate

Time to move on - 21/01/2004

After re-joining United when my loan with Swansea expired, I met with Alex Ferguson to talk about my future. I’ve been at the club since my school days and although I’ve made progress through the academy and reserve teams, there’s a big jump to the first team and it’s first team football that I require. We both agreed that perhaps it’s time for me to move on – I’ve been offered a one-year extension but I doubt I’ll take up that option.

The fact that I was more than happy to return to Swansea for a second loan period evidences how keen I am to play in the first team. I’ve already heard that there’ve been a few offers from Division One and Two clubs, but it’ll be a very important move for me so I won’t be rushed into making a decision. I sat down with Mark Bennett and Dean Baker – my agents – today, and although I’ve one or two mixed emotions, it’s really quite an exciting time.

The fact that United have just bought Louis Saha proves how difficult it is for the young reserves to break through. The likes of Nardi (Daniel Nardiello) Eddie Johnson, Neil Wood etc must all be a bit disappointed as they’ve all slipped one place further away fro the first team. The flip side is that most payers released by Man Utd get a second chance, whereas if a struggling third division club let’s you go – you make have to drop out of full time football.