I scored on my Manchester United debut – but Sir Alex Ferguson asked me “what the hell” I was doing

After scoring 16 goals in a campaign promoted to League Two, few players can say their reward for that achievement was a move to Manchester United.

But that was Nick Powell’s reward after an eye-catching campaign with Crewe Alexandra in 2011/12, capped by a play-off final goal at Wembley. Just 16 days after scoring what was a superb volley under the famous arc, he completed a move to Old Trafford for an initial fee of £3million.

The attacking midfielder was regarded as one of the most exciting prospects outside the Premier League and won the League Two Apprentice of the Year award in 2012 after a stellar campaign. However, the jump from League Two to the Premier League was a gigantic gap that Powell had to try to bridge.

READ MORE: He gave me my United debut by Sir Alex Ferguson – but he never even spoke to me

READ MORE: I signed for United and wanted to quit after my first training session

However, former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted to add him to the club’s ranks, admitting: “He is an exceptional talent and has been well trained at Crewe. I am delighted he has chosen to come to United. He has a lot to offer and we all look forward to working with him.”

Despite being only 18 at the time of his move to Old Trafford, Powell was not signed to play primarily for the Under-21s; Ferguson wanted to be in the first team and around him. This was proven when he was named in the team of the day for the first time as United beat Southampton 3-2 at St Mary’s, inspired by a Robin van Persie hat-trick.

Having watched the Dutchman’s heroics from the bench that afternoon, Powell, now at Stockport County, was rewarded for his competitive debut for United 13 days later when Wigan Athletic visited Old Trafford on the other side of the first international break since 2012/13. campaign. With United 3-0 up and heading for three points, Ferguson turned to the bench and asked Powell to get ready.

After 72 minutes, Powell replaced Ryan Giggs. Just 10 minutes later, he celebrates his first United goal. After taking a touch to settle, the former Crewe man curled a powerful effort past Latics goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi. The script could not have been written better.

But despite Powell marking his first United outing with a goal, it did not cement his relationship with Ferguson. Instead, it emerged that the midfielder was on the receiving end of a tongue-lashing from the legendary Scotsman.

Powell, at the request of the club’s internal media, was asked to conduct an interview with MUTV to reflect on his debut goal. Ferguson the next day confronted the youngster for agreeing, telling him he had yet to achieve anything in United colours.

“The next day I passed Sir Alex going to breakfast,” Powell told SportBible. “I smile. I’m just buzzed that I scored. But then he turns around and says, “What the hell are you doing an interview for?”

“I was like, ‘Woah, woah, woah.’ I didn’t want to do it in the first place,” but he was having none of it.

“He said, ‘You haven’t made it yet. I tell you when you can do such things.” I went from buzzing to what the hell is going on here.”

Following that incident, Powell made just five more appearances for United under Ferguson, starting twice. Both starts were handed to him in the Champions League, lining up in defeats against Galatasaray and CFR Cluj (both 1-0).

Ferguson, of course, retired at the end of Powell’s inaugural season at Old Trafford, meaning his future and development was placed in the hands of David Moyes. It was decided that his development would be best served elsewhere, resulting in him being sent on loan to recently relegated Wigan.

His loan spell at what is now known as the DW Stadium saw him win regular football, participate in a Europa League campaign, help the club reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup and finish in the top 6. After that , returned to Old Trafford for the start of the Louis van Gaal era, featured in the infamous 4-0 defeat to MK Dons in the League Cup and was then sent out on loan again, joining newly promoted Leicester City. in the Premier League.

His loan spell with the Foxes was the second of three he experienced before leaving Old Trafford for good in June 2016 after just nine appearances for the club. He was snapped up by Wigan on a free transfer.

Despite the disappointing nature of his time at United, Powell, who played for seven clubs throughout his career, will always remember his one goal at Old Trafford.

“When I think about my time at the club or my goal against Wigan, I have a sense of pride,” he said. “I look back on it fondly, it will always stay with me and I’m happy to have a goal at Old Trafford.”

Despite this, Powell, who recently helped Stockport win the League Two title, admits he would be ashamed to see Ferguson again.

“If everyone who left Manchester United could talk to Sir Alex Ferguson, they would, but he never would,” he admitted. “I would love to meet him again but for me, my time at Man United is tarnished so I would be quite embarrassed to see him.”