The goalkeeping legend was just 18 years old when he turned out for Manchester United in a 0-0 draw against Wimbledon back in 1990, and though his formidable boss didn’t offer much in the words of praise after the game, he showed his approval in a novel way.
Mark recalled to FourFourTwo magazine: “United were in the FA Cup final so Alex Ferguson told me I’d make my debut against Wimbledon.
“To keep a clean sheet as an 18 year old at Old Trafford was very special.
“I was lucky that John Fashanu and Vinnie Jones didn’t play they caused goalkeepers a lot of problems at that time.
“Fergie didn’t say anything out of the ordinary afterwards, but the next day at training, we had games for some of the people who didn’t play and some of the youngsters, and Fergie said I could be referee.
“That was his way of saying, ‘Well done last night.’
“I thought, ‘OK, yeah, I’ll be the ref.’ “
Another highlight of the 53-year-old pundit’s playing career was United’s 1-0 win over Palmeiras in the Intercontinental Cup in 1999.
He said: “Growing up in Australia, I didn’t think I’d have the opportunity to win the World Cup so to be part of the best club side in the world in winning the Intercontinental Cup in Tokyo – the first British side to do so – is very dear to my heart.”
