How good was Denis Irwin?

[Widnes]

Got to say I thought for many years Gary Neville was one of the worlds best right backs been very solid in defence been a great reader of the game and fantastic in attack supporting & overlapping the winger. I couldn't agree that Irwin was way better even though I did love the guy, not that it was ever a problem as Irwin played left side for most of his time with Neville on the right and Parker before him who was also a very good full back but obviously not the quality of the 2 been discussed.

Someone I would say Irwin is much better than and may have been a better choice in the original thread would be Evra, despite been a very good player for us I highly doubt I'll ever remember the same as Irwin or Neville for that matter.

 

[moses]

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

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

Wow.

 

[AKDevil]

Used to fall over when he took pens

No he didn't. Just did it once v Southampton.
Two footed too to add to his attributes...

 

[Solius]

Denis Irwin is the best left-back we've ever had.

 

[I'm always right]

Boyard obviously trolling.

 

[a_devil_inside]

He was fantastic for us over the years, couldn't have asked much more from him

 

[MrMarcello]

Better than Gary IMO. And better than Carlos IMO.

If his name had been Deniseo Irwinzinho he'd be lauded worldwide like Cafu, Alves, et al.

 

[Randall Flagg]

No he didn't. Just did it once v Southampton.
Two footed too to add to his attributes...

He fell over for at least 3 pens. Scored them all

 

[DubaiReds]

For us older fans Tony Dunne was a bit special. In my dream team (the players I've seen in my lifetime) it would be Dunne & Irwin a full backs. Both were brilliant and both could play right or left back.

But I would agree with a lot of you if I had to choose one out of the two it would be Dennis

 

[Ramshock]

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

Did you even watch Irwin play? Do you realise how many free kicks and penalties he scored, not to mention the odd cracker from open play. Irwin was a better overall player than Neville.

Irwin 529 appearances 33 goals
Neville 602 appearences 7 goals

 

[bigredmachine]

A poor man's Patrice Evra.

 

[Ramshock]

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.

I remember that quote.

 

[Stack]

Some of us dont think its an outrageous claim.

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

 

[LLMU]

always think that he looks like DJ Connor (from the sitcom Roseanne) . Brilliant player.

 

[Denis' cuff]

Neville marginally the better defender but Dennis better elsewhere making him marginally better overall

 

[rcoobc]

I loved him growing up

 

[EricaNo7]

He was a brilliant player, never let us down. A wonderful shot too

 

[ruddevil]

Irwin > Nevilles. Easy decision.

 

[devilish]

I dare to say he was even better then Gaz.

 

[Carl]

I dare to say he was even better then Gaz.

He was comfortably better than Gary Neville.

 

[devilish]

He was comfortably better than Gary Neville.

Gaz at 26-32 yrs was in my opinion one of the finest fullbacks of his generation (second only to Zanetti). At that age, he acknowledged his limits, he kept his passion under check and he learnt how to use his skills to the maximum (leadership, tough tackling, great work rate and fantastic cross). I doubt that we would have exploited Ronaldo's talent to its full if we didn't had Gaz covering his arse.

 

[CassiusClaymore]

Gaz at 26-32 yrs was in my opinion one of the finest fullbacks of his generation (second only to Zanetti). At that age, he acknowledged his limits, he kept his passion under check and he learnt how to use his skills to the maximum (leadership, tough tackling, great work rate and fantastic cross). I doubt that we would have exploited Ronaldo's talent to its full if we didn't had Gaz covering his arse.

I don't disagree with that but like you say, he acknowledged his limits....limits that Irwin did not have.

Irwin could play on either side, had a thumping shot and was far more potent going forwards than Gaz.

 

[Randall Flagg]

I really miss these days

 

[golden_blunder]

A poor man's Patrice Evra.

no offence to Evra, but i'd take Irwin without hesitation every single time

 

[Mannheim Red]

Denis Irwin is the best left-back we've ever had.

There may be one or two of the older posters that would maybe say that honour goes to Roger Byrne. You would have to ask someone like Tom Clare or MrMujac.

Denis Irwin is certainly the best full back Ive seen at United

 

[devilish]

I don't disagree with that but like you say, he acknowledged his limits....limits that Irwin did not have.

Irwin could play on either side, had a thumping shot and was far more potent going forwards than Gaz.

I think that Nev was a better leader, he could drift in CB if needed and he was better defensively.

However I do agree with the Irwin > Gaz idea

 

[Ish]

Denis Irwin is a legend.

One of the truly good guys (reminds of Carrick in a way!), model professional and a truly outstanding player.

Irwin > Neville > Evra

 

[Carl]

Gaz at 26-32 yrs was in my opinion one of the finest fullbacks of his generation (second only to Zanetti). At that age, he acknowledged his limits, he kept his passion under check and he learnt how to use his skills to the maximum (leadership, tough tackling, great work rate and fantastic cross). I doubt that we would have exploited Ronaldo's talent to its full if we didn't had Gaz covering his arse.

What Cass said...

I don't disagree with that but like you say, he acknowledged his limits....limits that Irwin did not have.

Irwin could play on either side, had a thumping shot and was far more potent going forwards than Gaz.

^^

 

[Ixion]

One of my two favourite players ever. Fantastic player, and such a professional, never any bullshit with him. Even when he got the red card at Anfield (which was a joke) and meant he would miss the FA Cup final, he didn't kick up a fuss or drama, just took it like a man.

 

[Grande]

Brilliant player. One of the best full backs of his period of time - I'd say the best I've seen at United.

I would say Gaz at his best was even better defensively, and Evra on top form is better in the build up. But Irwin was very good at both, and consistently so for several years, topping it of with a great shot and better delivery on crosses.

 

[Member 39557]

Best fullback we've had in my lifetime.

 

[stubie]

Best left back United have had in the time Fergie has been Manager.

A snip at £625k

 

[Ferguson]

Neville picked Irwin as the best in his autobiography.

 

[padzilla]

Had a debate at work with someone who said that Ashley Cole was way better than Irwin.
What's the Caf's (unbiased of course) view on this?

 

[stubie]

Had a debate at work with someone who said that Ashley Cole was way better than Irwin.
What's the Caf's (unbiased of course) view on this?

Cole is better attacking than Irwin was

 

[Decotron]

Cole is better attacking than Irwin was

Not sure about that personally. As an individual I can see how some would say Cole shades it but in terms of a team attacking as a unit Irwin was a very intelligent player, so than Cole. He had a better weight of pass and was a better crosser of a ball. Irwin was more solid defensively imo as well. Its a lot closer than Irwin V Neville thats for sure....

 

[tintedsepia]

He could cross or shoot from distance with either foot.

Actually Gary could cross beautifully with either foot - something he worked hard on as this wasn't natural at the beginning of his career.

 

[golden_blunder]

Had a debate at work with someone who said that Ashley Cole was way better than Irwin.
What's the Caf's (unbiased of course) view on this?

simple

look at Irwins assists and goals record compared to Cole

Irwin was so much more than just a reliable full-back

 

[dmode]

He was someone responsible we could always rely on... not like the bunch of nitwits we actually have in defense (if you can understand what i mean)...

I used to remember that Paul Parker what quite the opposite... always getting the stick from Schmikes... ah those were the great times...

 

[pauldyson1uk]

I dare to say he was even better then Gaz.

Denis was much better player than Gaz at what ever age you want to pit them at.
Not saying that Gaz was not a class player but for me Denis had more , never played a bad game and was a demon free kick taker.
Like with everything United and picking a fav player its all to do with age , some on here will of never seem Denis play but saw Gaz many time , I saw Denis play many many times and IMHO had more to his games than Gaz.