Denis Irwin

The greatest pound-for-pound signing of Alex Ferguson's reign.

Joseph Denis Irwin (born 31 October 1965) is an Irish former professional footballer and sports television presenter. Irwin is the joint most successful Irish footballer in history, a record he shares with Ronnie Whelan and fellow Manchester United stalwart Roy Keane, having won 19 trophies in his career.

Quick Facts

Full name: Joseph Denis Irwin
Born: 31 October 1965
Birthplace: Cork, Ireland
Height: 1.73 m / 5 ft 8 in
Position: Full back
Total caps: 682
Total goals: 29

Lore & Background

Irwin is best known for his long and successful stint at Manchester United, where he established himself as one of the most important players in a team that won a host of domestic and European trophies from 1990 to 2002, including seven Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League. He has been regarded by Alex Ferguson as, pound for pound, his greatest ever signing. Earlier in his career he played for Leeds United and then Oldham Athletic, and finished his career with a two-year spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers, the club he supported as a child. Irwin was capped by the Republic of Ireland national side 56 times, scoring four goals and featuring in the side that reached the second round (last 16) at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

Reader's Guide

Irwin began his career with Leeds United in 1983, making 72 appearances in the Second Division, before moving on to Oldham Athletic on a free transfer in 1986. He helped Oldham reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the final of the League Cup in 1990 before he was transferred to Manchester United for a fee of £650,000. In 12 years at Old Trafford, he made 296 Premier League appearances and won seven Premier League title medals, as well as two FA Cup winner's medals (1994 and 1996), a League Cup winner's medal, and UEFA Champions League and European Cup Winners' Cup honours.

He scored a total of 22 league goals for Manchester United, including several penalties. Irwin joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on a free transfer after the 2001–02 season. After Wolves won promotion to the Premier League in 2003, Irwin was applauded by the Manchester United supporters when he walked onto the pitch at Old Trafford for an early season league match which United won 1–0. Wolves were relegated at the end of the 2003–04 season, and the 38-year-old Irwin then announced his retirement.

Did You Know?

Irwin was awarded a testimonial match for Manchester United – played on 16 August 2000 against Manchester City at Old Trafford.
Irwin made his last appearance for Manchester United at Old Trafford against Charlton Athletic on the final day of the 2001–02 Premier League season, which ended in a 0–0 draw.
Irwin scored his first international goal on 29 April 1992 in a friendly against the United States at Lansdowne Road.
Irwin was comfortable with both feet, which allowed him to play either as a left-back or as a right-back.