Former Manchester City star Stephen Ireland has opened up over the time he spent training with Manchester United trio Bruno Fernandes, Fred and Diogo Dalot.
The 36-year-old came up through the academy at City prior to their big money takeover, playing for the likes of Aston Villa and Stoke following his departure in 2010. Nevertheless, Ireland is best remembered for his time at City – while he still lives in the area.
Among his neighbours include Fernandes, who has been a key player at United since his arrival in January 2020. But over the Covid lockdown with football matches off, the players needed to stay fit.
READ MORE: Carlo Ancelotti has pumpkins to thank for elite career – he ‘couldn’t get enough of them’
That is where Ireland came in, helping them find a training pitch to stick to their rigorous fitness regimes as well as having a kick about – where the former midfielder admitted to having to carry Fred.
Ireland exclusively told Ladbrokes: Fanzone: “Well, Bruno Fernandes was actually a neighbour of mine, and so during lockdown we were living on the same street; me, him and Diogo Dalot, so I was asked if I could source a pitch for the guys to train on so they could keep up their programme for Manchester United.
“I managed to get a couple of places to open up their pitches privately, and we ended up just training together throughout lockdown. It was unbelievable; I actually loved it.
“It gave me a new lease of life; it was Diogo, Bruno and Fred from United – and every day they were keeping up with their United programmes but for a couple of hours afterwards we were just doing football drills. Shooting, volleys, competitions… I had to raise my game, I’m not going to lie!
“It was always me and Fred against Diogo and Bruno in the competitions… my back was sore from carrying Fred, I can’t lie! I was carrying him in all of the competitions we did! It was just an unreal experience, though.
“The weather was outrageous, we brought a goalkeeper along and just trained every day. They couldn’t get enough of it; every day they were asking us to come back tomorrow.”
READ NEXT: