Preston North End midfielder Josh Brownhill is eyeing revenge against FA Cup opponents Manchester United tonight.
Brownhill was cut loose by United three years ago.
He recalled to the Mirror: "I still remember that day like it was yesterday. I went in a room with my parents and the coaches Brian McClair and Tony Whelan.
"When they told me they weren't offering me a scholarship it was horrible - my world fell apart.
"I'd chosen United over City, who also wanted me, and I'd been at the club nine years through all the age groups.
"I really thought I'd done enough to get a scholarship and was confident they would take me on, but they told me 'no' and I was heartbroken.
"They said I was too small, but they'd done tests showing me that I would be anywhere between 5ft 10in and 5ft 11in and a half tall - so I couldn't understand it.
"My head was spinning and I couldn't take it in. As a kid you never plan for something like that and although the coaches were saying they would help me find another club I wasn't listening - it was all a blur."
