The Northern Ireland international – and product of United’s Belfast School of Excellence – found his way blocked by Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Jonny Evans and £10m summer import Chris Smalling at United.
And before that he’d had to fight his corner in the Reds reserves with Gerard Pique and Ryan Shawcross. That pair sought pastures new at Barcelona and Stoke City respectively,
both with enormous success.
Pique became a Champions League winner at Barca, at United’s expense, and Shawcross was promoted to Fabio Capello’s England squad.
Now Cathcart is joining to the list of former United youngsters making good.
Last August he was added to Blackpool boss Ian Holloway’s newly-promoted Seasiders and he has been a mainstay in their top-flight fairytale.
“Cathcart has done really well,” said United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
“He was always a good player – excellent talent. The problem was he had a few injuries with us, and then we had Pique, Shawcross and Evans.
“I didn’t really want to let him go to be honest, but he had to go for his career. The only thing I could have done was put him on loan again.”
Fergie’s business with Holloway, who managed to snap up Cathcart for a fee believed to be around £350,000, left the Reds manager in tears!
“He (Holloway) bends your bloody ear on the phone. He’s never got a penny, always pleading poverty. You end up crying after he comes off the phone.
“He feels sorry for himself. He has always been that way, wanting loans and things like that.
“Even when we were dealing with Cathcart, he would say he couldn’t afford him.
“Now, he says he is the best signing he’s ever made.”
Despite Holloway’s irritating phone technique, he has transformed Blackpool and Fergie believes he should be honoured for his achievements.
“No doubt the manager of the year so far is Ian Holloway,” Fergie added.
“I watched their play-off game, when they won 3-2. It was end-to-end and I thought there was no way they can carry on like that. But they have.
“They’ve been a breath of fresh air – they’ve been positive and lit up the game.
“I think they can keep it going and they won’t do a Hull, who collapsed in the second half of their first season. Blackpool are so positive. They are throwing four or five players forward into the box to get on the end of crosses all the time.
“They are really having a go and saying if we’re going to fail, let’s fail gloriously. It is going to be a bit of a game for us.”
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A big test for our rock solid defence. Rio or Smalling ? I don't mind. Rafael or John O'Shea ? I do mind
Can't see Giggsy starting after his lung bursting performance against Birmingham which leaves us a bit light on the left. Maybe he'll play Rooney in a withdrawn position on the left with Anderson, Scholes and Nani and Berbatov and Hernandez/Owen up front.
Looking forward to this one should be a cracker.
“Even when we were dealing with Cathcart, he would say he couldn’t afford him."
Well easy soluton Fergie, you should just hang up the phone & keep the boy and send him on loan. Now we get the same as with Pique & Shawcross, 2 quality player who you let walk away, both are way better than the by you so much beloved defenders O'Shea, Brown & Evans.
There are currently 26 players , enjoying first team football within the premier league , who are products of or own academy and youth system over the last few years , including 10 of our own 25 man squad , as well as players such as Rossi , Pique , Beckham and on loan Macheda playing for top teams abroad . Got to say that even though they didn't all make the grade at United we must be doing something right to keep producing that many top level players
Hope the Donkey-lashers rip into you're lot tonight,now that would be entertainment,come on the Pool.......!!!