This former Man United star turned down a new contract despite playing under iconic 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 previously disclosed that he rejected a new contract at Old Trafford after feeling he'd been treated unjustly. Webber, now 44, turned out for nine clubs throughout his career, with a spell at Leeds — United's opponents in the Premier League on Monday night — being amongst them.
Webber arrived at United as an academy prospect in the 1997/98 campaign. He netted 16 times in 11 outings for the club's Under-17s and was handed a professional deal in December 1998.
Yet despite shining through the youth system and earning praise from the likes of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke, he found it difficult to establish himself in the senior squad. Temporary moves to Watford and Port Vale ensued.
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 revealed he had to prioritise his career, which meant rejecting a substantial three-year contract 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'."
Despite accepting the brutal truth that his United career had come to an end, Webber still held the highest regard for United's legendary former boss.
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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"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, after stints with Watford, Sheffield United and Portsmouth, Webber put pen to paper at Leeds. He spent just one campaign at Elland Road before featuring for Doncaster Rovers and Accrington Stanley.
Salford City's Danny Webber celebrates scoring
Salford City's Danny Webber celebrates scoring (Image: Getty)
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He did, though, experience a late-career resurgence at Salford City following his arrival in somewhat unconventional circumstances. The forward was providing commentary on a friendly for the David Beckham and Gary Neville-owned outfit, but wound up entering the action as a substitute after Neville and Ryan Giggs spotted him near the touchline at the interval.
"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 netted 38 times in 56 outings for Salford before hanging up his boots in July 2016. Webber's two former sides, United and Leeds, will clash at Old Trafford on Monday night, with the match set to begin at 8pm.
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