Robins hopes to follow Man Utd stars into management

FORMER United star Mark Robins is retiring and hopes to emulate former Old Trafford team-mates Mark Hughes and Steve Bruce in management.

The 34-year-old, who played for 11 clubs, has ended his playing career having released by Sheffield Wednesday following a serious knee injury.

He is hopeful his professionalism and experience will land him a job as a coach or manager.

Robins, who scored the first televised Premiership hat-trick when Norwich beat Oldham 3-2 during the 1992-93 season, said: “I’ve had a very good playing career and have got nearly 20 years of experience in the game, which I’d like to pass on.

“I’ve always had a strong desire to become a manager. In fact, I’ll never forget when I was at United and Sir Alex Ferguson said to me on the training field, ‘If anyone’s going to make it as a manager, then it will be you’.

“It was an off-the-cuff remark but hopefully he will be proved right. I’m just finishing off my UEFA B badge and I then plan to do my UEFA A qualification after that.