A Manchester United misfit became an icon across the city after he had asked Sir Alex Ferguson for a pay rise during his time at Old Trafford
Sir Alex Ferguson missed out on the Man City icon(Image: Getty Images)
A Manchester City legend has joked he could have earned more money stacking shelves than he did during his stint as a Manchester United youngster.
Shaun Goater, who celebrated his 56th birthday last week, remains a City hero after bagging 84 goals in 184 outings across his five-year spell at the club. And he served as City’s top scorer for four straight seasons following his 1998 arrival – becoming the first City striker to notch over 30 goals in a campaign since Francis Lee.
His exploits continued after guiding City back to the top flight, most memorably when he grabbed a double against Manchester United in the final derby at City’s beloved Maine Road ground.
Shaun Goater joked he could have made more back home in Bermuda(Image: Getty Images)
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Yet despite all his heroics for the blue side of Manchester, Goater actually launched his English football career with City’s fierce rivals. The frontman was recruited by Sir Alex Ferguson during his teens but departed Old Trafford without a single first-team outing for United.
His memories of his United period will surely delight plenty of City supporters – with Goater joking that his meagre United wages paled in comparison to what he could have earned packing groceries back home in Bermuda.
Goater said: “Manchester United travelled to Bermuda during a mid-season break, and that’s when I caught their eye. Sir Alex Ferguson spotted me and presented me with a trial opportunity.
“I made the journey over, enjoyed a fruitful trial and signed with the club. It’s amusing because back then, I didn’t have an agent so I was essentially left to negotiate my own deals, and when I was handed a spot at United, I was earning something like £175 a week.
“Now, in Bermuda, you could bag groceries for customers entering shops, and for that, you’d receive tips. I would earn more money bagging groceries in Bermuda than I would playing for Manchester United.
“So I went to see him, and explained that my mother and I had recently relocated and were residing in a new property, and with the £175 a week, I couldn’t manage the mortgage payments, so I required a little bit more – and he ended up granting me a £50 rise!”
And despite the reality that Ferguson became the arch-rival after he joined City, Goater acknowledges that he’s always maintained a positive relationship with the United legend – following his wage increase.
He continued: “At the time when I joined United, they were calling for Ferguson’s head. But he was always truthful, he was honest, he would tell you straight how things were. For me, as an 18-year-old, having to front up to the gaffer, it was a tough thing.
“But in my mind I was thinking ‘£175? I should be getting more than this!’ It worked out in the end for me though because I got my increase!”
“And ever since that day I’ve always had a good relationship with Fergie. I have the utmost respect for him.”