Stoke's new new signing Ryan Shawcross rejected the offer of a new contract at Manchester United to link up with ambitious Britannia Stadium boss Tony Pulis. The Potters are enjoying a fine season and on course to reach the Championship play-offs for the first time since 1996. It was back in the 80s that Stoke were last in the top flight of English football but hopes are rising in the Potteries that this could be their year. And the fact the towering 20-year-old defender chose to help Stoke's promotion push rather than stay at Old Trafford speaks volumes for the progress the club is making. Givemefootball's Ian Clarkson spoke to Shawcross about his reasoning behind the move.
Q:NOT MANY PLAYERS TURN DOWN MANCHESTER UNITED - YOU MUST HAVE HAD YOUR REASONS?
A:I'd have waited a long time for my chance at United. There are a lot of players ahead of me there, Gerard Pique is coming through now, it would have taken a couple of years to get into the first team squad. But it'd be my dream to go back to Old Trafford next season as a Stoke player. And the way we've been playing this season, that is a possibility.
Q:YOU MUST HAVE BEEN IMPRESSED WITH THE SET-UP AT STOKE TO MAKE YOUR LOAN MOVE A PERMANENT ONE?
A:When I came here, it was just a loan and I was supposed to go back to United. But after a month, I decided this was the place I wanted to be. It just felt this was the best club for me to come to and continue my football education as I was getting a regular game at Championship level in a team that is doing well. We beat Preston recently and the first half was the best we've played all season.”
Q:WHAT DID SIR ALEX FERGUSON SAY TO YOU ABOUT THE MOVE?
A:United made me a good offer and Sir Alex was disappointed, he wanted me to sign. But he was happy for me because he also felt this was the right move as it gives me first team football.
Q:WHO HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOU AT OLD TRAFFORD?
A:I watched Rio Ferdinand in training for a couple of years and I think he's probably the best centre-back in the world. He's also the most composed defender on the ball and that's probably the biggest thing I learned from him. But Nemanja Vidic will head anything and kick anything! When he first came to the club he whacked me a couple of times which left me a bit sore! But they are both top class players and you couldn't have a better start in the game than to work with people of that quality.
Q:LEON CORT HAS ALSO MADE HIS LOAN MOVE PERMANENT - WHAT'S HE LIKE TO PLAY ALONGSIDE?
A:Leon's a beast! He's so strong and I think a few defences are scared of him now as well as the rest of us. And we're scoring goals too which is a really valuable thing to have in the side from defence it could make a big difference come the end of the season. I've got seven goals and Corty's on six. I've had a wager with him on who'll be first to ten, I won't say how much, but it's enough!
