Michael McGlinchey lives his life with no regrets – and that includes the offer he rejected from Manchester United as a 15-year-old.
But the Central Coast midfielder, now 26, admits he still wonders what might have been if he chose to join the English Premier League giants instead of Scottish club Celtic back in 2002.
“I’ve thought about it, don’t get me wrong,” said McGlinchey, who will confront the Red Devils for the first time on Saturday with the A-League All Stars.
“But I try and live with no regrets. “At the time I made the decision to stay at Celtic and I thought that would’ve been the best thing for my career.
“Obviously I learned a lot from being there and it’s helped me in my career so far.”
The New Zealander only managed a single first-team appearance with Celtic in 2005, before he was loaned to Dunfermline Athletic two years later and then moved to Australia to join the Mariners in 2009.
While he missed the chance to meet legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson during his week-long training at United, McGlinchey did play alongside several footballers who now boast top-flight careers – including current Bolton winger Chris Eagles and former Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.
“I was very fortunate to go down there and see the way these sort of guys play, I definitely took a lot from that week,” he said.
“I was only 15 at the time, so I was training with the 17s, 19s reserve team … but a lot of them went and made careers out of it.”
But McGlinchey said that would be back-of-mind come Saturday at a sold-out ANZ Stadium, an opportunity he ranks among the best in his career.
The only thing that could top it would be the chance to swap shirts with veteran Ryan Giggs post-match.
“There can’t be too many more of them going around, I don’t how many more years he’s got left in him,” McGlinchey said.
“To get Giggsy’s top, it will be special.”
Regardless, McGlinchey said he is determined to push aside any nerves and relish the chance to flaunt his wares in front of a potential global audience of 40 million.
“It’s going to be a difficult task but it’s one that we’re all relishing.
“It’s not the best time to have the game (after a post-season break) but adrenaline will get you through.
“Obviously Man United have been together for a long time but we’re just going to enjoy the occasion and see what get out of it.”
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