Irwin's United association comes to an end

Denis Irwin’s long and illustrious playing association with Manchester United will finally end at Molineux tomorrow.

The 38-year-old Wolves defender is in the process of winding down his playing career and preparing for his swansong against the team he served so well.

A possible FA Cup draw apart, Irwin will not cross paths with United again before his scheduled retirement from the game at the end of this season.

But when he finally hangs up his boots Irwin will receive rightful praise from employers past and present who have all benefited from his model professionalism.

United boss Alex Ferguson is one of Irwin’s staunchest admirers and rates the £600,000 (€871,859) he paid Oldham for the Irishman’s services in 1990 among the best pieces of business he has ever done.

“Denis is one of those players who always gives you nine out of 10 in a game,” Ferguson said. “I never had to worry about him.

“He is a fantastic professional and I would hold him up as an example to any young player. He gave us great service during his time at Manchester United.”

Irwin hauled in seven Championships, three FA Cups, one League Cup, one European Cup and one Cup Winners’ Cup during his 12 year career at Old Trafford.

But now his professionalism ensures he will not be doing his old club any favours as he switches his focus from silverware to keeping Wolves in the Premiership.

Irwin said: “It goes without saying that I don’t want to bow out with a relegation.

“I knew when I came to Molineux that we could push for promotion and we had a very good chance of success.

“Equally this season I knew deep down it would be a relegation fight. But now we are more organised and I don’t think it is too late yet to escape,” Irwin told the Express and Star.

However he goes, Irwin will bow out with praise ringing in his ears.

He never looked back since Oldham’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United which persuaded Ferguson to make one of his greatest transfer swoops.

Irwin proved himself a model of consistency at Old Trafford while distancing himself from the glaring spotlight afforded to many of his higher profile team-mates.

But there was never any doubt where Ferguson’s loyalties lay as those team-mates came and went and the former Oldham man continued to evoke comparisons with United’s other great left-back, Roger Byrne.

Irwin had been due to end his playing career at the end of last season but was persuaded by lure of one last tilt at the Premiership.

He insists that this season really is his last and that nothing is going to change his mind.

“It is getting harder and harder to recover from my matches and the game is getting quicker. It really is a young man’s game,” he said.

“Players I discussed it with in the summer told me to accept that in five or six games this season I would be found wanting.

“I am pleased to say that hasn’t been the case and I don’t feel like I’ve been skinned. But it hasn’t altered my decision to quit in May.”