I issued a challenge to Jose Mourinho to alter his Manchester United transfer strategy, and I emerged victorious.

Paddy McNair is unlikely to ever forget September 27, 2014. The Northern Irishman was given his Manchester United debut by Louis van Gaal at the age of 19, where he was entrusted with assuming the central position in the back four during an ongoing injury crisis.

In his pre-match press conference, Van Gaal, two days prior to the Londoners’ arrival at Old Trafford, acknowledged that United’s centre-back position was exceedingly scant. He identified Marcos Rojo as the sole senior option who would be available for the match.

He opted to turn to the youth divisions, selecting McNair to start alongside Rojo, rather than Tom Thorpe, who was named on the bench. McNair’s sole prior exposure with the first team was his inclusion on the bench for the infamous 4-0 League Cup loss to MK Dons a few weeks prior.

On his Manchester United debut, Paddy McNair endeavours to separate himself from Enner Valencia, the forward of West Ham United. In September 2014, Paddy McNair made his Manchester United debut. (Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images.) In the summer of 2016, McNair, who is presently on loan at Championship side West Bromwich Albion from

US outfit San Diego, sought an exit due to a decrease in minutes. Jose Mourinho had been appointed as Louis van Gaal’s successor, and he enhanced the club’s centre-back options by signing Eric Bailly.

United, aware that McNair had performed admirably when presented with opportunities by Van Gaal, sought to further his development by sending him out on loan for the first time in his career. The club believed that the Northern Irishman’s next step in his long-term pursuit of becoming a regular fixture at Old Trafford was to secure regular first-team football.

Nevertheless, McNair was not interested in considering a transient loan to another location; he preferred to depart permanently. It was a decision that prompted him to implore Mourinho to modify his transfer plans.

McNair elaborated, “He requested that I be loaned out, and I approached Jose and informed him that I would remain in the club if he did not permit me to sign a permanent contract.

“I contemplated it with such seriousness. I have no misgivings, as it was my desire at the time. I believe that he appreciated my candour. I expressed my desire to depart and my reluctance to participate in a loan program.

“I believe he held that in high regard.” I informed him that I had been a member of the organisation since I was twelve years old, and I hoped that they would at least allow me to pursue my interests.

McNair, who is currently 29 years old, also reached out to former executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward in an effort to secure a definitive departure from Old Trafford. McNair further stated,

“I conversed with Ed Woodward and conveyed the same sentiment to him.” “I was essentially refusing to take out a loan.” I simply desired a new challenge, so I embarked on my journey.

In August 2016, McNair secured a transfer to Sunderland, who were still in the Premier League, three days prior to United’s Premier League opener. In a £5.5 million transaction, he joined the Black Cats alongside fellow United youngster Donald Love. The Stadium of Light provided McNair with the opportunity to establish himself as a regular member of the first team.

Nevertheless, only 12 appearances into his Sunderland career, he sustained an ACL injury and was unable to contribute to the Black Cats’ unsuccessful battle against relegation for the duration of the season.

Although he ultimately collaborated with Carrick at Boro, he accrued the majority of his appearances at centre-back. Nevertheless, he was a steadfast presence on Teesside for an extended period.