UTD Podcast: Rossi reflects on his United debut
In the next episode of the UTD Podcast, former Reds striker Giuseppe Rossi reflects on how it felt to make his senior debut for Manchester United against Crystal Palace in November 2004.
Rossi, who had joined United earlier in the same calendar year, went on to make 14 appearances for the Reds, having originally spent time building up experience of English football in the Academy.
He has gone on to enjoy most of his career success in Spain with Villarreal and netted 82 goals in 192 games for the La Liga club across a memorable six seasons at Estadio de la Cerámica.
However, the former Italy international says he still looks back on his time as a Red with fond memories. One of the most prominent of those being his professional bow against Palace in the fourth round of the 2004/05 League Cup, as the now 34-year-old tells our trio of co-hosts on the latest episode of the UTD Podcast, which will be available to listen to in full on the Official App from this Monday (1 November).
Rossi's United story
In his upcoming UTD Podcast episode, Giuseppe Rossi explains what being a Red meant to him...
‘’I remember being substituted on in the 70-75th minute and for me, at only 17-years-old at the time, it was crazy," he said in the exclusive podcast chat.
‘’The first ball that came to me I think I was stood on the 18-yard line, the ball was in the air and I remember thinking I’m going to smash this into the top corner. I got ready to wind up and take the shot and completely missed the ball, it was utterly embarrassing.
"However, it was an 15 amazing minutes, something that I’ll never ever forget,’’ added Rossi.
Just under a year on, another dream moment for Giuseppe came when he netted his first professional goal in a 3-1 Premier League win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The former Red talked through the moment, and the notable celebrations after it, during his appearance on the UTD Podcast.
Goal of the Day: Rossi v Sunderland
Giuseppe Rossi scored from distance on his Premier League debut, in 2005…
‘’My first goal: I was substituted in when we were winning 2-0, I was subbed on for van Nistelrooy and soon as I came onto the pitch they score to make it 2-1,’’ began Rossi.
‘’Soon after, [Wayne] Rooney passes me the ball and I take a shot and mayhem followed [with the celebrations].
"A couple of months ago actually someone posted a picture of Rio [Ferdinand] and everyone jumping on me and I just recall I couldn’t breathe or nothing, I totally forget that feeling but as soon as I saw that hand right on my face it was like PTSD. It was so cool to see though.’’
Listen to the full Giuseppe Rossi episode of the UTD Podcast from Monday, in the Official App.