Darron Gibson denies he was a failure at Manchester United, insisting he never got the chance to earn a regular first-team place.
Midfielder poised for first Old Trafford return with Everton
Everton midfielder Darron Gibson denies he was a failure at Manchester United, insisting he never got the chance to earn a regular first-team place at Old Trafford.
Gibson moved to Goodison Park from the champions on a cut-price deal back in January and is preparing to return to his old club for the first time on Sunday.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder made his United debut as an 18-year-old in the Carling Cup in 2005 but from then on struggled to break into the first-team on a consistent basis.
He made just 14 league starts for the Red Devils over six years and was set to join Sunderland last summer but failed to agree personal terms.
Since moving to Merseyside, Gibson has been a first-team regular, making 12 starts in all competitions, a run only broken by a knee ligament injury suffered in February.
The 24-year-old admits he is happier now he is playing regular first-team football but looking back, he does not think his time at United was a failure.
Better mood
"As a footballer you want to play and when it came down to it, I wasn't playing as much as I would have liked," he said.
"That meant I had to move. Some people say I failed at United and towards the end I wasn't playing my best.
"I've come here to start showing people how good a player I am.
"I wouldn't say I failed at United, I'd say I never got the chance I wanted.
"I am just enjoying it and I'm in a better mood now, I know that.
"It's nice to know you're in with a more-than-likely chance of playing every week, rather than not."
