Chris Eagles showed a fair bit of potential in his time with United but he never really looked as though he was going to make it with us. Maybe he would be good enough for another Premiership team, but not United.
Eagles is the same age as Wayne Rooney, give or take a few weeks. However, by the time Rooney had reached 23-years-old, he’d got over 200 appearances for Premier League clubs under his belt. In contrast, Eagles managed less than 100 appearances for professional clubs and just 6 appearances in the Premiership.
After spending half a season at Burnley, signing for around £1 million with add-ons, he has today spoken of his future plans to return to Old Trafford.
Eagles interview in this morning’s paper doesn’t quite seem to add up to me. First of all he claims he doesn’t hold a grudge against Sir Alex Ferguson, but then goes on to say his move to Burnley was against Ferguson’s wishes and that it was in fact entirely his decision.
“I’m not going to hold a grudge because I thank him for everything he’s done. He’s got me to where I am today and I have learned so much from him,” Eagles said. “You have got to have a basic talent but he adds to it. He didn’t want me to go. It was sort of on my own back and he fully understood. But he’s got a clause now that he can buy me back first. I got on so well with the gaffer. He’s like a second father to me. We had our ups and downs and he used to tell me off if I was in trouble. But I wouldn’t change it.”
Eagles then goes on to claim that he could have gone to a Premiership side, but decided to join Championship side Burnley instead, so he could ‘make his own name’. He also reckons that the manager watches him every week!
“It was a very hard decision to go because I had a few Premier League clubs interested as well,” Eagles added. “But I felt I wanted to make my own name and be my own person. The manager knew that and I know he watches me every week to keep an eye on me. You never know. My dream is that one day I will go back. My dream is to play for England, too, and I’m not going to stop until I get that.”
Eagles appears to be a bit delusional, to say the least. Premiership football is a realistic dream for him, Manchester United is not.
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Another one of the class of ’03 that let it go to their heads. Talented lad, but he knew it, and in the end, he’s paid for it by not making the grade.
Getting ‘told off’ by SAF at such an important stage in your career just about sums it up really. Like Richardson, he’s found his level.
Pretty much sums it up how you just put it East Stand mate… he only did IT on the very few occassions and didnt really have the UNITED head on his shoulders to make the grade..
Will do well for Burnley, but would only be a mediocre player in the Premier League.
Yes sad for the lad but got to go with you both on this .
I used to play with Chris when we were both coming through the ranks at Watford. We were both fighting it out for the right wing role and I used to get picked ahead of him in most matches, only due to a knee ligament injury which cut my football ‘career’ short did he then start playing on a regular basis and as they say the rest is history. Even back then he was a little jack the lad thought he was invicible, never liked him.
Dont get me wrong he has talent always has done, but when I saw him sign for United, my forehead was not big enough for how high my eyebrows were raised.
He’s a decent player, but nothing more he hasn’t got any match winning skills and for a midfielder he doesn’t have the vision to match any of our players at United, but best of look to him as he is one of the better youth players of his year.
He chats so much shite. contradicted himself too.
He’s just dreaming – he should take a leaf out the book from that guy (Jonathan Greening ?) who was similar and decided that he was better off being a big fish in a small pond at West Bromwich Albion where he now plays all the time and is team captain.
I suppose that “self-confidence” is finely balanced between delusion and drive to succeed. This guy needs a reality check.
He’s a poor mans Beckham!!
As he is a former Red i wish him well and thank him for his efforts….
I never thought of Eagles much anyway. So what if he scored for us a few and the time he has spent with us wasn’t enough to convince me that he’s united material, neither is Gibson. Watched him played in reserves and seems to be good enough but he’s performance as a substitute against Southampton was woeful! Okay he scored a goal but his passing was equivalent of me trying to look sober when I’m not! Ha!
Sounds like Chapmions is abit bitter!!! Whats wrong with the lad having goals and aspirations. He was linked with many clubs but the oppertunity at Burnley suited him better and he didnt have to leave his home in Manchester. Even if he went to a Blackburn or a West Brom he could have been played out of position, or again not given his shot. Instead he has become Burnley’s most consistent player, played big parts in their two big cup games and is always changing the game for them.
Will he be good enough to come back, who knows. Its always going to be hard with Ron in the team. And everyone who is taking the piss outta what he says about his relationship with Fergie….. why is that so hard to believe Fergie does that time and time again with many players, many have said it before and thats why he is the manager he is. He has the time for everyone.
JohnJo – sorry, bitter about what? That you have Chris Eagles and we don’t? Eh?
I wish him all the best in his career, I like to see the United youth lads do well, and I think you’re pushing it a bit to call us bitter.