FORMER ARSENAL PLAYER Emmanuel Petit has said that former Ireland and Manchester United full back Denis Irwin was underrated as a football player and that more people should recognise what a wonderful footballer the Cork man was.
Irwin played for the likes of Leeds United, Oldham, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, but it was at Manchester United where he is best remembered.
The former United fullback joined United in 1990 and stayed there till 2002. He also scored 22 goals from full back.
Petit who played for Arsenal against the United defender speaking to Premier League Odds and Boylesports said that Irwin was never given proper praise due to the quality of fullback that existed around the 90s.
Many people claim the former Arsenal and Chelsea fullback Ashley Cole is the best Premier League full back ever, but he disagreed.
"Denis Irwin was always underestimated during his career and I don't understand why. Often when you ask this type of question, you don't think about the full backs straight away, but I remember Denis Irwin was great, "said the 1998 World Cup winner.
Denis Irwin ❤️🇮🇪#MUFC | #PhotoOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/jsyZXbIqao
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 31, 2021
"He was aggressive and a good tactician. He was mentally strong, good with set pieces - I can't remember how many free-kicks he scored for his country and club, but I always thought he was underrated.
"When people say Ashley Cole, although I have respect for him, nobody should forget Denis Irwin," added Petit.
"He is often overlooked because he was playing in the same generation as Paolo Maldini and Roberto Carlos. If he was playing today, he would definitely be up there as there aren't many players that can play with both feet. He was very clever with the ball."
In 12 years at Old Trafford, Irwin 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.
