Manchester United fans have been blessed with the privilege of watching a number of legendary footballers through the decades.
The sheer quality of the past at a club like Manchester United can create a burden for the present to live up to, but one day, you hope that a new generation will emulate the success of the past.
One man with a close connection to United through the years is Paul McGuinness, son of Wilf McGuinness, who played for United from 1954 to 1959.
McGuinness Sr succeeded Sir Matt Busby as manager, briefly, while his son later took on a much longer association with the club as a youth coach.
Paul McGuinness spoke to Manchester United’s official podcast this week and had a few tales to tell about his memories.
On Sir Bobby Charlton
Paul McGuinness was born back in 1966, two years before Sir Matt Busby’s team won the European Cup in 1968.
While his dad Wilf’s spell as United manager was short, he retained his connections at Old Trafford, and Paul got the chance to kick the ball around with a handful of club legends.
He spoke about the time he got the opportunity to feature in a charity game featuring Sir Bobby Charlton, who passed away last year.
He hailed his competitive spirit, comparing him to modern day great Roy Keane – who Charlton himself said he was once in awe of.
McGuinness explained: “Without doubt, every game, Bobby was majestic. Both feet, left and right foot, scored from 25, 35 yards, hit a ball 50 yards with fade out to the winger on that side, then do it with the other foot on that side.
“When you’re playing with him and that’s like, I’ve known him for quite a bit, but he’s obviously that gentleman, Bobby. Don’t believe it. Do not believe it.
“He was the most competitive guy out there. You know, you think Roy Keane.
“You wouldn’t think it, Bobby Charlton, but if you don’t give him that ball fast, or someone makes a slight slip or if someone’s a bit frivolous, you know, but my dad was prone. My dad was prone to a bit of trying to entertain the crowd. He would moan like hell, Bobby, you know.”
On Ryan Giggs
McGuinness had a brief period as a player and was on Manchester United’s books between 1984 and 1986, and then 1989 to 1991.
And during this time he witnessed the emerging greatness of Ryan Giggs, who the rest of the youngsters struggled to keep up with.
He explained: “I ended up coming back after being at university, played with Ryan Giggs in the 18s when he’s 15, 16.
“And it was like, wow, this kid. I remember a game at Blackburn. He must have beat six people.
“I remember shouting after the move. Ryan, can you slow down while you beat those five guys? Cause we can’t get in the middle.”
Giggs went on to become Manchester United’s leading appearance maker of all time.
On Danny Welbeck
In the early 2000s, McGuinness took on a coaching role in Manchester United’s academy, trying to help the club unearth the next star players, and keep the identity of the club alive.
And while this has remained the case, the club recently handing a debut to a 250th academy graduate, McGuinness expresses some regret that one player in particular was sold in 2014.
McGuinness worked closely with Danny Welbeck through his development at Carrington, who was sold to make way for Radamel Falcao, under manager Louis van Gaal.
He said: “I took sessions or tours with every age group from under nine to under 16, because I was the assistant academy manager or whatever. And then when I changed to under 18 coach, this same player came at the same time.
“So he’s the only player that I’ve coached every age group. Danny Welbeck was the only one.
“I think he definitely should have stayed. And he should have been, he would have been like Jonny [Evans], I think would have been a core, would have been part of the core, because they would have been the guardians of it all, and a great personality, you know.”
Welbeck is still going strong at Premier League level, leading the line for Brighton and Hove Albion at 33.
Given the way United like to bring back veteran players, never say never about a potential Welbeck return one day, even if it is a non-playing role.