Irwin 'not afraid' to leave Old Trafford - March 5, 2001
Former Republic of Ireland international Denis Irwin seems to be resigning himself to leaving Manchester United this summer. The 35-year-old's one-year contract is up in May - and the club is unwilling to give him a new one pending the appointment of a new manager.
Current manager Alex Ferguson has publicly called for Irwin to be given a new contract - but the club has resisted. And with the new-found good form of Irwin's long-term replacement, Mikael Silvestre, the Corkman has begun to cast his eyes elswhere.
"The club have offered me nothing, so I don't know what my options are," Irwin said. "I've had one-year contracts for the last two or three years, and in an ideal world I'd like to finish my playing career here.
"But it doesn't bother me stepping aside or stepping down. It wouldn't be easy leaving United but it doesn't frighten me.
He continued: "I know it can be strange leaving one club and going to another with new players, but if it's something I have to do, then I'll have to do it."