How good was Denis Irwin?

[De Selby]

I was just browsing devilish's either/or thread and it seems that Irwin gets the nod over Gary Neville by most of the posters. Although Gaz was a fantastic player, the result wouldn't be surprising for anyone who remembers Irwin's performances for us.

In my view he was a world-class player. He had everything a full-back should have: solid in the tackle, read the game well, positional sense was spot on, he was quick and a good crosser. He also took a mean peno & was handy at free kicks.

If he had been Italian people would have creamed themselves over him.

 

[17Larsson]

And to top all that off there was never any bullshit with him, just got on with playing football. Fantastic player

 

[decorativeed]

He was fecking great. One of my all time favourite United players.

 

[#07]

Awesome and had a fantastic free kick. Never had a bad game. 7/10 guaranteed. One of the greatest signings Sir Alex ever made.

 

[Randall Flagg]

I can't think of a better all round full back who has played in England.

I can barely remember him making a proper error.

 

[KanieKaned]

I need'nt add anything to this, youve covered it all already. And to think, he cost us literally feck all for the return we got from him.

Dennis Irwin

 

[FortBoyard]

He was shit. Only the Irish rate him, a bit like Michael Collins or Seamus Heaney.

 

[Nani Nana]

Sir Alex once said that pound for pound, he was the worst signing he ever made.

And to top all that off there was never any bullshit with him, just got on with playing football. Fantastic player

That was before Twitter arrived though. Look at his last tweet

@IrwinDenis3 Denis irwin

good afternoon guys. i made up my mind. see you later. thanks​

 

[Count Orduck]

Sir Alex once said that pound for pound, he was the worst signing he ever made.

Eh?

 

[Stobzilla]

One of my favourite players growing up, two footed, could finish well, belter of a free kick on him, calm as you like from the spot, good crosser. One of the best left backs ever for me. Incredibly well rounded.

 

[R.N7]

Poor man's Giuseppe Pancaro

 

[Randall Flagg]

Used to fall over when he took pens

 

[FortBoyard]

Bloody Revisionism, we all wanted him sold every season he was here.

Next we will have a John O'Shea was world class thread started by Nilsson.

 

[Nialler]

We've had some great full backs in the Ferguson era but to me Denis was the best followed closely by Gaz.

 

[Widnes]

He was fantastic player, Although I would give Neville the nod over Irwin at RB if I was to choose between Irwin or Evra at LB then that would have to go to Irwin.

 

[KanieKaned]

Bloody Revisionism, we all wanted him sold every season he was here.

Next we will have a John O'Shea was world class thread started by Nilsson.

Journey man Oshea couldnt hold a fecking candle to dennis, ya blinkered tool.
Dennis Irwin was fecking quality

 

[#07]

Bloody Revisionism, we all wanted him sold every season he was here.

Next we will have a John O'Shea was world class thread started by Nilsson.

Wha...?

 

[Wumminator]

Fantastic player.

Met him as well. Lovely man. Great pro.

 

[Jacob]

I've met him in person as well, fantastic man.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

He was shit. Only the Irish rate him, a bit like Michael Collins or Seamus Heaney.

rubbish , he was an unsung hero , played his heart out for the team and never got the recognition he deserved.
You could depend on him to play well , I never saw him have a bad game

 

[pauldyson1uk]

Sir Alex once said that pound for pound, he was the worst signing he ever made.

Can you provide proof of this.

 

[Nialler]

Sir Alex once said that pound for pound, he was the worst signing he ever made.

Best

 

[adexkola]

Sir Alex once said that pound for pound, he was the worst signing he ever made.

 

[buckooo1978]

our best fullback since Fergie took over and more dependable than Evra

cracking free kicks and penalties

 

[Ramshock]

Nani Nana and Fort Boyard have been drinking the orange kool aid today pay them no mind. Denis Irwin to put it as subtly and politely as possible was sheer fecking class and never EVER had a bad game. I am pretty sure I saw every game that was ever televised of his United career and can hand on heart say he never had a bad game. In my humble opinion he pisses all over any other full back you can mention during his career except maybe for Maldini but Maldini wasnt an out and out full back entirely.

 

[Amir]

He was so well balance, a good mixture of defending and attacking. He didn't have Evra's pace or trickery, but once he got to a good position he was more likely to do something positive with the ball. Hard to think of a better full back. Some catch the eye better with their attacking play, but as an overall player, he was terrific.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

He would walk into any United team with ease.

 

[golden_blunder]

Bloody Revisionism, we all wanted him sold every season he was here.

Next we will have a John O'Shea was world class thread started by Nilsson.

Are you taking the piss?

 

[Decotron]

Lots of trolling going on. Easily better than Neville.

 

[lem8sh]

Somebody please put up that goal against Wimbledon, if Barcelona did something similar we would never hear the end of it

 

[The Taurean]

what is the point of trolling in this case?

 

[Widnes]

Lots of trolling going on. Easily better than Neville.

Personally prefer Neville at RB but can understand why some say Irwin but to say easily is a bit of a outrageous claim.

 

[Decotron]

Personally prefer Neville at RB but can understand why some say Irwin but to say easily is a bit of a outrageous claim.

He could do every single thing Neville could and more. He consistant contributed to our attacking play. Something Neville didnt always do.

Easily probably wasnt the best choice or words....clearly might suit better. Two great full backs anyway we put it...

 

[.Phil1968]

You could guarantee a performance from Irwin,one of Fergie's best pound for pound signings along with Scmeichel and Eric.Never any bother with the guy,came in and did his job a lot like Scholes in that respect.He was very harshly sent off in a game at the Dippers in 99 when Elleray played up to the kop and subsequently missed the cup final.A great full back,free kick taker,crosser and scorer,would love to have him back in his prime now.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

Personally prefer Neville at RB but can understand why some say Irwin but to say easily is a bit of a outrageous claim.

I think he was way better than Neville in everything he did.

 

[Still ill]

You could guarantee a performance from Irwin,one of Fergie's best pound for pound signings along with Scmeichel and Eric.Never any bother with the guy,came in and did his job a lot like Scholes in that respect.He was very harshly sent off in a game at the Dippers in 99 when Elleray played up to the kop and subsequently missed the cup final.A great full back,free kick taker,crosser and scorer,would love to have him back in his prime now.

Kicking the ball away very gently? That one made me mad. Kicked some furniture. Brilliant player, brilliant guy. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

 

[Sparky_Hughes]

Legend of a player and a real gentleman as well.

 

[711]

Cracking transfer. Remember signing Paul Parker the year after we'd got Irwin to play in the same position, making no sense whatsoever. 'Til Irwin switched seamlessly to the left. Quite brilliant by Fergie.

The only fault with Irwin that I can think of is that he used to stand off his man a little bit, making sure he wasn't beaten, but allowing the cross too often. Then again I've got a thing about full-backs allowing crosses, so it might be me.

 

[moses]

In terms of football ability Irwin was way ahead of Neville. That is not to say Neville didn't make up for it, and was an amzing full back. Irwin was one of the best I've ever seen, he was flawless until very near the end, quiet, unassuming and brilliant.

 

[jeff_goldblum]

I loved Irwin growing up, my dad rated him very highly too. Two-footed, great in both attack and defence. Enormously underrated.

Alan Hansen once said that if he was picking a team of the decade (I think around the time Denis left United) that he'd have Denis Irwin at right back and Denis Irwin at left back. Obviously Hansen can be a tit, but he knows his defenders.