Stoke City man Nick Powell has been reflecting on his spell with Manchester United, with the playmaker admitting that it was a spell he began to fall out of love with football.  

Powell was a top young talent when he headed to Old Trafford, departing Crewe and heading to the Premier League giants.

Yet, his spell at Old Trafford saw him make only nine appearances and coincide with the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Discussing things with Manchester Evening News, Powell said: “My time at United was poisoned by falling out of love with football. 

“I didn’t feel like I was part of anything at the time. I was in limbo between reserves and first-team.

“I remember people trying to fine me because I was late to a reserve game, reserve training, first-team training - purely because I didn’t know where I was supposed to be. I’d get onto one training pitch and I’d be told, ‘no, you’re over there this week’ and I’d be 10, 15 minutes late and I’d be getting fined. But nobody was talking to me, I didn’t know where I was supposed to be.”

The 26-year-old felt that the retirement of Ferguson was a particular kick in the teeth, with the legendary manager’s decision blindsiding a lot of people within the game. 

“I remember waking up from my back operation and he’d announced his retirement," continued Powell. “So I had no idea, woke up and then he’d retired. 

“I remember saying before that I didn’t want my op, as United had pretty much won the league by then and you needed 10 appearances to get a medal - I was on two or three. I made a couple of bench appearances and I was really enjoying the time, even though I wasn’t playing. He [Ferguson] told me exactly what I was getting into and I didn’t mind that.

“Then to get that news when you wake up from an operation when that was the whole reason you went to the club in the first place…yeah it was a kick in the teeth.”

Since then Powell has had spells with Leicester City, Hull City and Wigan Athletic, finding his feet once more with the latter in League One.

Now, he’s plying his trade with Stoke in the Championship and has made 22 appearances this season, scoring four goals for the Potters.

The Verdict

Powell was a massive talent coming out of the EFL when he headed to Manchester United, so it is a shame to see such a talented career head this way on the back of a dream move.

However, he’s found himself again in the EFL and if he can put injuries behind him, Powell is going to be a big hit with Stoke.

He might not ever get the chance he did at Old Trafford again, but that taste of the top will motivate Powell to make the most of his remaining career.

Thoughts? Let us know!