He was supposed to be Roy Keanes heir apparent, a tough-tackling midfielder from Cork, and had Old Trafford supporters falling over themselves with excitement when he clinched a move from Celtic to Manchester United in January 2004. The 22 year old had broken into the midfield of the Scottish champions during the 03/04 season, and had produced some stellar performances both domestically and in the Champions League, but as soon as the Mancunian giants took an interest, the writing was on the wall for the Scottish giants.
''We recognised the potential of Liam, he has had a great season at Celtic. He is very much part of our progressive thinking of developing a young team over the next few years. - Sir Alex Ferguson, January 2004.
What transpired since has been nothing short of nightmarish for the boy who had the world at his feet. He failed to establish himself at the Premier League title contenders, making just nine league appearances for the first-team, before leaving for Sunderland on a free transfer in August 2006 to work for the man who he was supposed to replace at Old Trafford.
''You dont have a crystal ball to see how things like that are going to work out. Even so, I cant say I have any regrets. It was a great environment to be around. Training every day, learning from some of the players there. I still look back on it as a tremendous experience. But I did think I would be playing a bigger part. I played more on the right wing than I ever had in my career. It was not a role I enjoyed and by the end I wasnt playing. I suppose I could have just sat on the bench for five years, but there comes a point when a player has to say enough is enough. - Liam Miller, April 2013.
Liam Miller is now 33 years old, and has spent the last three years of his life plying his trade in Australia, first with Perth Glory and now with Brisbane Roar, following failed stints at QPR and Hibernian. Its certainly a far cry from Old Trafford, but at least he is finally getting a bit of game-time. So that's a wrap - do you agree? Have there been any glaring omissions? As always, feel free to leave your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
