LIVERPOOL, England, January 13 – Darron Gibson has revealed he joined Everton from Manchester United after advice from Wayne Rooney, the England striker who moved in the opposite direction.
A lack of first team chances at Old Trafford — summed up when the midfielder was overlooked for the FA Cup win over Manchester City when the United manager recalled 37-year-old Paul Scholes from retirement instead — persuaded Republic of Ireland international Gibson it was time to move on.
“I was speaking to Wayne about it a bit and after that and coming to see the facilities it was an easy decision,” said the 24-year-old Gibson, who also talked to Everton’s Australia international Tim Cahill and another United old boy in Toffees captain Phil Neville before making his move.
“He (Rooney) told me it was a great club and he really enjoyed his time and the people here,” Gibson added.
“Having a word with him and people like Tim Cahill and Phil Neville convinced me to come.”
Gibson, in the squad to face Aston Villa on Saturday, has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract for a reported fee of one million pounds, rising to two million on appearances.
A product of the United youth team, Gibson has scored 10 goals in 60 appearances for the English champions since breaking into the first team in the 2005/06 season.
Born in Northern Ireland, Gibson has played 17 times for the Republic and scored one goal.
However, he has only played twice for United this season and Gibson said he knew his time at Old Trafford was up when Ferguson recalled Scholes for the 3-2 victory over City last weekend.
“I was very frustrated (at Manchester United). When Scholesy came back the manager told me I was free to go.
“Everton had shown some interest a month before hand and the gaffer (David Moyes) wanted me in so it went from there.
“I think it was the right time for me to move on and I’m looking forward to my time here,” explained Gibson, who has left second-placed English champions United for an Everton side who are 11th in the Premier League table.
Meanwhile Ferguson wished his former player well, saying Gibson could follow the example of both Neville and goalkeeper Tim Howard in making a successful switch from United to Everton.
“I think it’s a good move for him,” said Ferguson.
“He has to get on with his career. He’s got terrific ability, Darron, but he knew he wasn’t going to be a first-team regular here all the time.”
Ferguson added Gibson would be a welcome boost to Everton manager Moyes’s injury-hit squad.
“They need that player because they’ve struggled with injuries and David has not really had any financial clout to improve the situation.
“But Darron Gibson’s got quality and the experience of being here. Tim Howard and Phil Neville have both gone to Everton and done fantastically well and hopefully that’s another one.”
