Note: This represents the first in a series of columns titled ‘Development Insider’ from John Curtis, former Manchester United player and current technical director of Everton America in Norwalk, Conn. Over the coming weeks, Curtis will explore the intricacies of development in both England and the U.S. from his unique vantage.
On May 3, 1993, at 9:15 p.m., inside a packed Old Trafford in Manchester, England, I made my decision to sign for Manchester United.
As captain of my country I was lucky enough to have a choice of where I would begin my professional soccer playing career. Manchester United, Everton and the then mighty Blackburn Rovers were amongst the front runners.
On that night in May, United were playing Blackburn and had the chance to secure the league title for the first time in 26 years. It was Gary Pallister's exquisitely taken 90th minute free kick and the ensuing atmosphere that erupted around the stadium when the ball sailed into the top corner, that cemented my decision to become a Manchester United player. Pallisters strike would ensure a 3-1 home victory and, more importantly, secure the converted title of Premier League champions.
