Manchester United youngster, Richard Eckersley, left the club last month after turning down a contract extension with us to join newly promoted Burnley.
Eckersley confessed nobody really wants to leave United but had to do it to play first team football.
“United’s a dream club and nobody really wants to leave, but I wanted the chance to play first-team football and hopefully I’ll get that here at Burnley,” said Eckersley. “There was an offer on the table from United but I took up Burnley’s offer because I know I can cope with life in the Premier League. Just being around the first-team players at United every day and training with them was really special. I learnt a lot, and not just how to train. You also learn about how to go about your daily life and how to conduct yourself off the pitch. Hopefully I can apply that knowledge here.”
He is joining former Manchester United player Chris Eagles who was in the same team as Richard´s brother at United, Adam.
“I think he’s settled already,” Eagles said. “He’s a great lad and a great player and hopefully he’ll be playing alongside me on the right side of the pitch. In training it’s been brilliant – he gives me the ball whenever I’m in space. I was excited to hear he’d signed because I played with his brother at United and I obviously know him already.”
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hope the lad does well.cant blame him for wanting to play regular football.this is the age when you want to play every game wen u are young and filled with enthusiasm.
Eagles had a pretty good last season.however i hope they both have an off day on Wed wen they play us.
Strange lad. Thats what loaning is for Richaard
Good player, would have had more chances in time. De laet’s inclusion would have made him think too.
‘First-team football’ yet he was sat on the bench on the first day of the season. Great thinking, Rich.
I know his path to the RB spot at Burnley *seems* clearer than it would be at United, but as was mentioned, a loan would have been best for him at this stage. That way he gets first team footy, comes back in higher regard and in the knowledge that SAF will no doubt give him his chance (as he did last season).
As unlikely as it seems, if Burnley manage to survive in the Prem, they’ll be looking to consolidate and improve and if Eckersley hasn’t nailed down the RB spot by then … well … he’s back to square one and at a lower level than he was at (with United).
Whos to say anybody wanted to loan him? Burnley would be the best offer he would get, and under Owen Coyle with other young players will be satisfied both on and off the pitch.
@SteRDLK:
If we can farm the likes of Danny Simpson out, I’m sure Eckersley will’ve been sorted for a club.
I think Eckersley realised he wasn’t quite good enough for United and decided to find the right level for himself. Can’t blame the lad for doing that. Shows he is pretty sensible. What other reason can there be? Can’t be money. So, I say fair play to Eckersley. Simpson and Bardsley are the strange ones. I remember they played fairly well on their debuts. Bardsley actually had a couple of very good games for us. He even played in the CL. Looked like a future replacement for Gary Neville and then everything went tits up. What happened to him? Does anyone know? I haven’t paid much attention really.
Yeah 20legend, thier names are Fabio and Rafael.
Saw Burnley play my local this summer. Eagles and Eckersly looked to be the best of the bunch. Eckersly came off the bench then too. Damn he is a small lad though.
i think bardsley is at sunderland with campbell and Brucey…
i think Richard made a good choice to stay in the prem, and hopefully he and eagles can help keep them up this season, would love to see them cause evra a few problems, just show everyone that they are good players, but in the whole scheme of things, we’ll outclass them easily.