Paul Parker has backed Denis Irwin in the best Premier League left-back debate, after one media outlet put forward three names, overlooking the former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland defender.
Manchester United have had some top left-backs down the years, with Denis Irwin and Patrice Evra topping the list in the Premier League era.
Luke Shaw, 30, is the current United left-back, but there have been suggestions that the club will look to sign a long-term upgrade in the summer to provide more competition and cover in the role ahead of next season.
Unfortunately for Shaw, he is not considered in the debate for the best Premier League left-backs. It cannot be denied that injuries prevented that because there was a time when the England international was among the best left-backs in Europe.
Paul Parker, Denis Irwin and Steve Bruce celebrate Premier League success in 1994
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Paul Parker names Denis Irwin as the Premier League’s greatest ever left-back
United fans are bound to be split on the best left-back they’ve seen play for the club during the Premier League era.
The two most prominent names are Irwin and Evra.
Irwin won seven Premier League titles, two FA Cups, one League Cup, one Champions League, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
On the other hand, Evra enjoyed a lot of success at Old Trafford too. The Frenchman’s honours list includes five Premier League titles, three League Cups, one Champions League (runner-up twice), and the Club World Cup.
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Former United right-back Paul Parker has weighed in on the ‘greatest ever Premier League left-back’ debate after talkSPORT shared a post listing three options excluding Irwin.
The trio include Ashley Cole, Andrew Robertson, and Evra.
This prompted a response from Parker, acting as a voice of reason, stressing that it’s ’embarrassing’ to see Irwin snubbed in such a list.
Parker took to X, writing: “Denis Irwin is so much better and the only one just as good as a right back! Embarrassing for the person who done this.”
With Robertson announcing that he is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, it seems people are exaggerating how good he was by suggesting the Scotland international was a better player than Irwin.
Anyone who watched Irwin play knows that is not the case.
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Paul Parker record at Man Utd
Parker signed for United in 1991 following a £2 million transfer from Queens Park Rangers.
The right back made 146 appearances for United, scoring two goals and registering one assist.
Parker was part of a back four that consisted of Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister, and Irwin, helping to deliver United’s first league title in 26 years.
After sustaining injuries, Parker’s place on the team was eventually taken by Gary Neville.
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