The defender talks to Goal about his first spell at Old Trafford, the lessons he has brought back with him and some tough love he received

Manchester United defender Paul McShane has revealed how some tough love from Roy Keane and some sound advice from Sir Alex Ferguson has shaped him as a coach.

The 35-year-old never made his professional debut for the club but was part of the pre-season tour squad in 2004 and also regularly trained with Ferguson’s team while playing for the U23s.

Now the Irishman is back at Old Trafford as a player-coach and is using his experience of training with the likes of Keane to try and inspire the next generation.

What was said?

Speaking to Goal about his memories of training with the first team when he was a teenager, McShane recalled some tough love from the former Manchester United captain.

“Training with him was quite an experience, because he didn’t take it easy on you," he said. "I remember being lashed out at a few times by Roy for giving the ball away on more than one occasion.

“He held no prisoners, no matter what age you were. I always remember him saying it was tough love but it was quite tough as a 17-year-old getting hammered by Roy!”

While it was the tough love approach that has stuck with McShane from his encounters with Keane, it was words of advice from Ferguson that have stayed with the 35-year-old.

"I remember he always said to enjoy the journey as a professional footballer and I try and tell the lads that," he explained. "

Sometimes I need to tell myself that too because when you’re so involved in the game there are tough moments and I know when I was a young lad I wanted to try and succeed yesterday.

"So I try and tell the lads to enjoy it as much as they can and take one day at a time, but it’s easier said than done. I think that was the main thing that Sir Alex told me that sticks in my mind, to enjoy the journey."

How has that experience helped him now?

After leaving United in 2006, McShane went on to play for West Brom, Sunderland, Hull City, Barnsley, Crystal Palace, Reading and, most recently, Rochdale. While he learned valuable lessons at all of those clubs, it is the foundations he picked up at United which he has taken throughout his career.