Gibson: Every time I got the chance I'd shoot!
Former Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson discusses his Reds career in the latest episode of the UTD Podcast, touching on his favourite United goal, Bobby Charlton’s advice, and much more.
The Irishman rose through our youth ranks and went on to make 60 appearances for the club, scoring 10 goals. He enjoyed loan spells at Royal Antwerp and Wolves during his seven years here as a pro, before departing for Everton in 2012.
Gibson has one Premier League medal to his name, from 2011, and he also won the League Cup with the Reds in 2009 and 2010.
The 34-year-old had stints with Sunderland, Wigan Athletic and Salford City after leaving Everton.
As you will hear when you listen to Gibson's episode of the UTD Podcast - available now in the United App – he reveals how he was taken aback by the size of United’s following while on pre-season tour.
“It was unbelievable. The amount of people outside the hotels waiting for us and stuff like that. Being a bit of a young lad walking off the coach and everyone is screaming for autographs... I thought ‘they don’t want my autograph’ so I kept sneaking off in behind and there were a few of us doing it.
“We got on the coach one day and the gaffer was like: ‘get back off and sign all the autographs.’ He was like: ‘I don’t want anyone not signing anything.’ I wasn’t doing it thinking I can’t be [bothered], I was doing it thinking they don’t want my autograph.
“It was a massive eye-opener, going away and seeing 500, 600 people standing outside the hotel all day just to get an autograph. Unbelievable.”
Gibbo gained a reputation at United for his shots from distance, with a memorable final-day effort against Hull in 2009 particularly catching the eye. Gibson revealed that it was actually Sir Bobby Charlton who inspired him to adopt this approach.
“I can’t remember what game it was, but Sir Bobby used to come into the dressing room after the games. I just remember him saying to me: ‘Listen son, they don’t remember the ones you miss. Just keep shooting.’ It sort of stuck with me, so I was just thinking from then I’m just shooting from everywhere! Every time I get a chance I’m shooting. But it worked. A few of them flew in for me.
“There were a few times [teammates got annoyed by my shooting]. It might have been after a West Ham game away when I scored again. I had about 10 shots in the game, and I got on the bus afterwards and Giggsy was like ‘here he is, Darren Lampard.’ I got a bit of stick from the lads but [it worked for me].”
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Gibson also picked the favourite goal he scored in a United shirt, explaining that it wasn’t the finest strike, but the one that meant the most to him.
“It’s probably not the best goal but my favourite one was the Bayern Munich one [from the Champions League quarter-final in 2010]. Obviously, I think I hit the shot early and he didn’t move, the goalkeeper. But running down that side of the pitch, and the fans, I can remember clearly it was unbelievable.
“I think that was the best one, just the whole experience. I know we went out, but for me personally, I think that was my best goal.”
Listen to the Darren Gibson podcast now in the United App.