Former Fulham defender Matthew Briggs has opened up on how a failed move to Manchester United affected him mentally.
Briggs was a product of the Whites youth system and went on to make 13 Premier League appearances for the Cottagers between 2007 and 2014, as well as representing England from under-16 to under-21 level.
His impressive displays didn't go unnoticed, with the Red Devils rumoured to be keen on signing him in 2010, but after the Cottages refused to let him go, the move collapsed, and he has since slowly dropped down the football pyramid and most recently played for Isthmian League North outfit Maldon and Tiptree.
“Man United were interested in me,” the boyhood United fan told talkSPORT.
“As a young child, that was my dream to play for United.
“As soon as I heard Man United were interested in me I was like ‘I want to go’.
“I wanted to go, I was ready, packed.
“But when Fulham didn’t want me to go and didn’t allow me to go, that sort of affected me mentally.
“I sort of became down about it.
“I let it affect my mood, my football wasn’t quite at it, at the races.
“My head was gone.”
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