Shaun Derry believes speaking out against Neil Warnock ended his Sheffield United career

Shaun Derry of Sheffield United celebrates his extra time goal during the FA Cup Third Round Replay against Rushden and Diamonds: Mark Thompson /Allsport

The former midfielder spent two years as a Blade after signing from Notts County, but was hastily moved on to Portsmouth after a 3-2 defeat at Port Vale in March 2000.

"I was quite an outspoken young player, so to speak, and in the dressing room after a defeat at Port Vale I mentioned to Neil about a decision he’d made in the game," Derrys said.

"I was due to go to Manchester City about two weeks earlier, but United turned down the offer, the manager wanted to keep me.

"Then I was pretty vocal in something I said after the game and was sold the next day.

"I had been pretty gobby and Neil showed his teeth. I was gone. He had done the deal.

"It was funny because my team-mate Paul Devlin rang me on the Monday and, that morning, Neil said something to the squad along the lines of: 'That will be the last time anyone confronts me after a game. I will fire you off as far down the country as possible. Look where Shaun Derry is!'"

Derry, speaking to The Star's sister paper The Portsmouth News, added: "Fast forward a few years, Neil signed me on loan from Leeds when he was Palace boss, before signing me permanently. Then recruited me for QPR.

"Neil doesn’t hold a grudge, he’s not that kind of guy. He says it how it is and I am pretty much the same. You say it how it is and crack on."

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