Aston Villa star Ireland is expecting tension at Old Trafford when his side face United on Sunday.
“I was a United fan when I was growing up as it was in my family,” said Ireland.
“It was time they were at their best with players like Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and David Beckham.
“Seven’s always been my number. As a kid I was a big fan of Cantona and that’s what he wore so I wanted it too.
“As it became available at Villa, I wanted to take it.
“It was easy to follow a team who kept winning and playing attractive football.”
Ireland almost joined United instead of City as a schoolboy.
“As a youngster I had a trial with United and there was a chance I might go there but I felt there was something right about Manchester City that was right for me,” he said.
“I felt I had a better chance of getting in the first team there, and I did quite quickly.
“It was always my dream to play for United but I felt it was the right decision to join City.
“It’s always strange when I play against United.
“When I was in City’s youth teams I got extra nervous playing against them and even now I still do.”
