Why am loyal to Manchester United

New Wigan Athletic manager Warren Joyce has revealed a commitment to Sir Alex Ferguson stopped him from taking a manager’s job during his eight-year spell at Manchester United.

Joyce was appointed the new manager at Wigan earlier this month, bringing an end to his association with the Red Devils having joined the club as reserve manager in 2008.

The 51-year-old previously managed Royal Antwerp in Belgium but has now admitted he had the opportunity to become manager at a number of Championship clubs and sides above that level during his time at United.

But Joyce says he never considered any of the roles as it would mean going back on a promise to Sir Alex to commit to the reserve team.

Joyce said on Sky Sports’ EFL Weekly Podcast: “I had an opportunity to manage Royal Antwerp, which was a tremendous experience and I really enjoyed that.

I could have gone a couple of different directions at the time and maybe managed a different club in Europe.

“I had a lot of offers to stay out there and manage on the continent but to come back to Man Utd, the job offer was looking for someone willing to commit and not use Manchester United as a stepping stone to get a manager’s job.

“When you say something like that to Sir Alex Ferguson, you have to mean it and my handshake was my bond.