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Nicholas Ioannou was “forgotten” by Manchester United without a senior appearance, but has carved out a fascinating career across Europe.
And as per a feature in Gazzetta dello Sport a professional contract was on the table for the left-back.
But an ill-timed injury saw him “dumped” by then-manager David Moyes as he began his stint at United.
The Scot had the unenviable task of replacing the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson in the Old Trafford dugout, and bringing the young Cypriot to the first team wasn’t part of his plan.
After joining United at the age of 11 Ioannou’s career was full of early promise and he spent eight years climbing the ladder at Carrington, eyes firmly on the first-team prize.
But that career hinged on a hip injury in 2012, sustained in a Milk Cup clash, which sidelined him while Ferguson led the likes of Robin van Persie to Premier League victory.
In the chaos of the ill-fated Moyes era he slipped through the cracks, leaving the player to, as Gazzetta dello Sport put it, “rebuild a career that could have been and wasn’t”.
He now plies his trade in Italy, turning out for Sampdoria, and his debut season for the Serie B side has been as tumultuous as his career as he is “reborn” under the management of Andrea Sottil.
In seven games he has already picked up two goals and a red card.
He arrives on the Gulf of Genoa off the back of four seasons with Como, departing just as Cesc Fabregas’s outfit reached Serie A.
Before that he had to pick up the pieces of his nascent career, which first took him to Cypriot heavyweights APOEL Nicosia before Nottingham Forest brought him back to England.
From there he was loaned to Greek side Aris then Como, who eventually opted to take him on full-time.
Featured image Simone Arveda via Getty Images
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