This former Man United star turned down a new contract despite playing under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson
Danny Webber of Manchester United celebrates during the match between Manchester United Legends and FC Barcelona Legends at Old Trafford on September 2, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
Danny Webber played for United in a legends game in 2017(Image: 2017 Getty Images)
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Former Manchester United striker Danny Webber revealed that he turned down a new deal at Old Trafford as he believed he had been treated unfairly. Webber, now 44, played for nine clubs across his career, with a stint at Leeds, United's opponents in the Premier League on Monday night, being just one of them.
Webber joined United as an academy player in the 1997/98 season. He scored 16 goals in 11 appearances for the club's Under-17s and was rewarded with a professional contract in December 1998.
However, despite impressing through the ranks and gaining plaudits from the likes of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke, he struggled to break into the first team. Loan spells at Watford and Port Vale followed.
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Via The Standard, Webber said: "I used to clean Andy's boots and he was always looking out for me, telling me I was doing really well.
"He'd mention me, really talk me up, in interviews with United's magazine or on MUTV. I was only 16 or 17 and it gave me a real buzz. With Yorkie, it was more tips on how I should be doing things. They were great strikers and they both rated me. Yet three years later, I was still in the reserves, stuck behind Diego Forlan and David Bellion."
Webber claimed that he had to put his career first, meaning he turned down a huge three-year deal from Sir Alex Ferguson himself. He said: "I'd watch Forlan miss chance after chance and think, 'I'm sure I could do better.' He went 20-odd games before scoring. Kept being picked week after week. I remember thinking I'd have settled for half that many opportunities.
"United were always my team, but I had to consider forging a career for myself. I felt there had been an injustice, so when Sir Alex told me I could have another three years, the answer had to be, 'No'."
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Danny Webber and Kieran Richardson during a Manchester United First Team training session at the Carrington Training Ground, Carrington on March 10, 2003 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Danny Webber struggled to break into the first team at United(Image: 2003 Manchester United)
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Despite facing up to the harsh reality that his United career was over, Webber still reserved the highest praise for United's iconic former manager.
"I may have been frustrated by a lack of first-team chances, but Sir Alex was brilliant with me when I broke my leg soon after a loan spell at Watford," he said. "At the time we were talking about a new contract, and he phoned me in hospital to reassure me the offer stood.
"It made it more difficult to turn down, but I had to. I sometimes wonder whether I might be knocking them in for United now if I had stayed, especially with Ruud Van Nistelrooy leaving and Louis Saha missing a few games through injury.
"I don't sit and mope about it, though. I didn't work all those years to be in the reserves in my mid-20s. I don't regret making the break."
In 2012, following spells with Watford, Sheffield United and Portsmouth, Webber signed for Leeds. He lasted one season at Elland Road before turning out for Doncaster Rovers and Accrington Stanley.
Salford City's Danny Webber celebrates scoring
Salford City's Danny Webber celebrates scoring
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He did, however, enjoy a late-stage career renaissance at Salford City after being brought into the fold in an unusual manner. The striker was commentating on a friendly for the David Beckham and Gary Neville-owned club, but ended up coming on as a substitute after Neville and Ryan Giggs saw him walking around by the pitch at half-time.
"I played the final 20 minutes and as a result of that, Gary asked me (to sign)," Webber said via The Daily Mail. "And then, the next morning, a 5am wake-up call - it was Gary Neville.
"'Would you come and play?', he asked. I said, 'Let me think about it' and he said, 'OK, no problem.’ By 9am, I had thought about it and said, 'Yeah.' It's a testament to him and the way he wants to get something.'"
Webber scored 38 goals in 56 appearances for Salford before announcing his retirement in July 2016. Webber's two former clubs, United and Leeds, will meet at Old Trafford on Monday evening, with kick-off set for 8pm.