Football
Exclusive: Harrison Burrows Hails Darren Ferguson's Role in Sheffield United Move
Harrison Burrows credits Darren Ferguson for helping facilitate his move to Sheffield United from Peterborough. The wing-back, unveiled as a Blades player, praised Ferguson’s influence on his career and his role in the transfer decision.
Image Credits: Andrew Kearns - CameraSport/Getty Images
New Sheffield United signing Harrison Burrows has described how Darren Ferguson, his former manager at Peterborough, helped orchestrate the move which took him to Bramall Lane.
Following a protracted series of negotiations which began earlier this summer, Burrows was officially unveiled as a Blades player on Saturday morning after becoming Chris Wilder’s fifth close season signing.
Despite not turning 23 until January, the wing-back has already amassed 185 senior appearances after making his debut for Posh five years ago.
Ferguson’s Influence on Burrow’s Career
Rather than trying to undermine his talks with Wilder, Burrows revealed Ferguson played an active part in deciding his next destination after accepting it was time for him to part company with the League One club.
“The manager, Darren Ferguson, has been the biggest influence on my career so far,” Burrows told SportsBoom.com.
“We had discussions, and he knew what the next step in my career needed to be. He knew that it would be a move to a club like Sheffield United.”
“He was massive in helping me with my decision. He’s the sort of manager who doesn’t just look out for you as a player, he looks out for you as a person too.”
“Everyone knows how big a club Sheffield United is. I’m really excited about being here.”
Image Credits: Sheff United
Fond Farewell to Peterborough
Ferguson, the son of Manchester United legend Sir Alex, is now in his fourth spell in charge at the Weston Homes Stadium and guided Peterborough into the EFL Trophy final earlier this year. Burrows captained them to success over Wycombe Wanderers, scoring both of his team’s goals during a dramatic 2-1 victory at Wembley.
“Darren is a great guy,” Burrows continued. “My relationship with him has always been really good and he’s given me great advice ever since I’ve known him.”
“Obviously, he’d have rather I’d have stayed at Peterborough. But he also wanted to make sure I did the right thing for me and my career as well. It says a lot about him as a person that he also wants to see his players do well and that he was also really excited for me.”
Excitement for the Future
Burrows joins Kieffer Moore, Callum O’Hare, Jamie Shackleton and Sam McCallum in Wilder’s new look squad with more new arrivals expected to follow ahead of August’s 9th’s visit to Preston North End. Burrows could make his first competitive outing for The Blades four days later, when Wrexham travel to South Yorkshire in the first round of the EFL Cup.
With United tipped the challenge for an immediate return to the Premier League after being relegated last term, Burrows said: “Because I’ve only ever played for Peterborough before, I gave this move a lot of thought. I had the whole summer to think about it.”
“I had a great season at Peterborough, and I can’t thank them enough for the opportunities they’ve given me, getting me involved at such a young age. Sheffield United’s goals are the same as my own.”
“I’ve got a lot of games under my belt and United maybe looked at me, saw that experience, and wanted to bring me in,” Burrows added.
“I’m nearly touching 200 games despite my age, and I think I’ve got a good head on my shoulders and am quite a mature player. I’m not an immature footballer.”
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.