Irwin was the first of the modern full backs in the PL. Fantasic player.
How good was Denis Irwin?
- Thread starter De Selby
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
Would you guys rate Irwin at his best over Evra at his best? I see the Cole comparison, but I think Evra at his very best was better than Cole at his very best. Cole obviously has a better career though as did Irwin. In 2008 (that was Evra's best campaign right?), he was great at defending, had a great deal better pace than Cole, much better on the ball and worked relentlessly up and down that left side.
Disclaimer: Irwin is my favourite ever player so my view is coloured somewhat.
I'm a penalty taking fullback comfortable on either the right or left, so naturally growing up my hero was Dennis Irwin. The best left back of the premier league era for me. He couldn't merely just do a job at right back, he was equally adept on that flank as he was at left back. Free kicks and penalties - check. The absolute model of consistency. That goal that Cantona chipped into him always sticks in my mind. I think Ellery's decision to send him off at Anfield for running the ball up the line after the whistle had blown is probably the angriest I've been at any refereeing decision, seriously fecked us in that game as well. David Ellery
. Played with him as well when he came to train with my school's football team (his son went), met him and shook his hand. What a day
I'm a penalty taking fullback comfortable on either the right or left, so naturally growing up my hero was Dennis Irwin. The best left back of the premier league era for me. He couldn't merely just do a job at right back, he was equally adept on that flank as he was at left back. Free kicks and penalties - check. The absolute model of consistency. That goal that Cantona chipped into him always sticks in my mind. I think Ellery's decision to send him off at Anfield for running the ball up the line after the whistle had blown is probably the angriest I've been at any refereeing decision, seriously fecked us in that game as well. David Ellery
. Played with him as well when he came to train with my school's football team (his son went), met him and shook his hand. What a dayIn my eyes he is. The complete full back.
It's a great question as Denis was obviously a right footed fullback who was switched to the left as we had a massive gap there at the time.
He still played nigh on 100 games at right back for us so putting him up against Gary Neville is totally relevant.
Gary Neville had qualities that Denis didn't. In my opinion Neville was a better header of the ball, a better communicator, read the game better and was a superb crosser of the ball. He was also a great leader. However, when he had a bad day it was really bad.
Denis Irwin was a cleaner tackler (I can't remember him giving away many free-kicks), more versatile (left or right), dangerous from set plays and as many have said on here…consistent week in week out.
In terms of up and down the pitch, supporting the attack, pragmatic defending etc they were pretty much on par.
In the modern game we have been lucky to have two great fullbacks. I can't separate them so won't try.
I would definitely have Irwin over Evra at LB.
He still played nigh on 100 games at right back for us so putting him up against Gary Neville is totally relevant.
Gary Neville had qualities that Denis didn't. In my opinion Neville was a better header of the ball, a better communicator, read the game better and was a superb crosser of the ball. He was also a great leader. However, when he had a bad day it was really bad.
Denis Irwin was a cleaner tackler (I can't remember him giving away many free-kicks), more versatile (left or right), dangerous from set plays and as many have said on here…consistent week in week out.
In terms of up and down the pitch, supporting the attack, pragmatic defending etc they were pretty much on par.
In the modern game we have been lucky to have two great fullbacks. I can't separate them so won't try.
I would definitely have Irwin over Evra at LB.
Bullshit.
You don't say.
I suppose 'IIRC' has a better ring to it than 'MSMRI': 'My selective memory remembers incorrectly'
He carried it with his run up the line for a second yellow. Not really that forcefully either
Irwin was a fantastic servant of United. Strong in every aspect of the game and a model footballer.
How many fullbacks do you ever see given first choice for taking pk's? Not many.
How many fullbacks do you ever see given first choice for taking pk's? Not many.
Not only that, he was brilliant on either flank.
I also argue he was a more cultured footballer than Cole.
Ferguson said (in his new book I think) that after Irwin made a mistake that led to a goal the tv/newspaper reporter said to him 'You'll be disappointed with Irwin for giving the ball away for the goal' and Ferguson replied 'Well I've had him here now for eight or nine years and that's the first mistake he's made, I think I'll be able to forgive him'
And all of this plus he was a perfect pro and a total gentleman.
Any manager in the league right now would take him him in a shot.
Any manager in the league right now would take him him in a shot.
One of my favourite United players.Solid and good at everything.Going forward and defending.God I wish he was young again!
I think the correct question would be, is Gary at his prime more important than Evra at his prime. Irwin was that good at his weaker side that he played at left back to allow Gary to play at right back and still looked world class. If we had to pick an all time Manchester XI, Irwin would definitely be the first name for the fullback spot and everybody else would be competing for the remaining spot.
in football manager he is average performance would range something like 8.2 to 8.5
Here is what SAF and Gary said about Irwin...
Denis Irwin was the best left back of the Premier League era. Consistency embodied and had a wicked ability at set pieces to. Had it not been for David Beckham Irwin would've definitely scored more goals for United.
Dinny was the best full-back I've seen (that I've watched on a consistent basis. Obviously people will claim Maldini and Cafu were better, but I watched those play maybe four games a season at their peak.)
Assured in defence and excellent in attack. The archetypal full-back.
Assured in defence and excellent in attack. The archetypal full-back.