Post by kokka78 on Sept 20, 2008 1:09:41 GMT
Red View caught up with United’s Under-18s goalkeeper to talk about learning from Edwin van der Sar, playing table tennis and his penchant for the Fresh Prince
Born: Corby Age: 17 Position: Goalkeeper
Describe yourself in three words: Loud. Relaxed. Ambitious.
Strengths: My distribution, shot-stopping and communicating with the defence. I’ve got good concentration on the pitch, but less so in the classroom!
Things I can work on: My cross-taking. A lot of it’s to do with positioning, so I work on that in training with the coaches and the other goalkeepers. I’ve learnt a lot from older players like Tom Heaton, who’s really helpful and offers lots of advice.
A player at United I admire: Edwin van der Sar. He’s always been a favourite player of mine. You only have to look at what he’s achieved to see he’s one of the best in the world.
I first got spotted: Playing for Cambridge United. I heard there was a scout at the game, but I didn’t know which club he was from. A week later I was offered a trial. I was shocked to find out there were a few interested clubs. It came to a decision between United and Arsenal.
In five years I will be: Hopefully in the first-team squad. You have to aim to be no.1, no matter how difficult that may be to achieve. That’s my aim.
Best moment in football: Making my debut for England U16s in the Victory Shield in Scotland. Playing for my country was a big achievement.
Most embarrassing moment: I was playing for Peterborough and I waited too long to clear the ball, I ended up kicking it in off the forward. Mistakes like that are a nightmare for goalkeepers. Luckily I’ve not done anything stupid at United yet!
Favourite other sports: I watch rugby league and tennis on the telly. All the lads play table tennis at Carrington and, other than Matty James, I’d say I’m the best. Anton Bryan fancies himself as a player but he’s terrible.
Music: I like R’n’B, hip-hop, dance. I’m not really into indie.
TV: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Film: Scarface, Godfather – the classic gangster films.
Best trainer: Joe Dudgeon – the warrior! Nobody can get round him.
Worst dressed: Jimmy Derbyshire - by far the worst with his pointy shoes.
Born: Corby Age: 17 Position: Goalkeeper
Describe yourself in three words: Loud. Relaxed. Ambitious.
Strengths: My distribution, shot-stopping and communicating with the defence. I’ve got good concentration on the pitch, but less so in the classroom!
Things I can work on: My cross-taking. A lot of it’s to do with positioning, so I work on that in training with the coaches and the other goalkeepers. I’ve learnt a lot from older players like Tom Heaton, who’s really helpful and offers lots of advice.
A player at United I admire: Edwin van der Sar. He’s always been a favourite player of mine. You only have to look at what he’s achieved to see he’s one of the best in the world.
I first got spotted: Playing for Cambridge United. I heard there was a scout at the game, but I didn’t know which club he was from. A week later I was offered a trial. I was shocked to find out there were a few interested clubs. It came to a decision between United and Arsenal.
In five years I will be: Hopefully in the first-team squad. You have to aim to be no.1, no matter how difficult that may be to achieve. That’s my aim.
Best moment in football: Making my debut for England U16s in the Victory Shield in Scotland. Playing for my country was a big achievement.
Most embarrassing moment: I was playing for Peterborough and I waited too long to clear the ball, I ended up kicking it in off the forward. Mistakes like that are a nightmare for goalkeepers. Luckily I’ve not done anything stupid at United yet!
Favourite other sports: I watch rugby league and tennis on the telly. All the lads play table tennis at Carrington and, other than Matty James, I’d say I’m the best. Anton Bryan fancies himself as a player but he’s terrible.
Music: I like R’n’B, hip-hop, dance. I’m not really into indie.
TV: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Film: Scarface, Godfather – the classic gangster films.
Best trainer: Joe Dudgeon – the warrior! Nobody can get round him.
Worst dressed: Jimmy Derbyshire - by far the worst with his pointy shoes.