Peter Beardsley could swivel, twist and turn with a football in an era when long balls and direct play was the norm. Beardsley is regarded by a generation as one of the most underrated players England has produced but he enjoyed a distinguished career and won 59 caps for his country.

Beardsley also played a game for Manchester United, which is unknown to some, such was the low-key nature of his appearance and the fact he spent just six months in Manchester.

The Hexham-born lad eventually became a hero for Liverpool and Newcastle and he was blessed with the talent to become an icon at Old Trafford - but it just wasn't meant to be.

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Beardsley started his footballing career at the famous Wallsend Boys Club. He became a professional with Carlisle United before moving to Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada.

It was in Vancouver where Beardsley caught the eye of former United manager Ron Atkinson. "Like most players chasing a dream, I jumped at the chance of a move to Manchester United. The dream did not become a nightmare exactly but it would hardly be correct to say my time as a player under manager Ron Atkinson was sweet," Beardsley explained in his life story book.

"It was certainly short. It was at the start of my second summer in Vancouver that we played against United who were themselves on an end of a season tour. It was a big game for us and our supporters turned up in force. United are a big draw wherever in the world they play.

"But we hammered them. I scored after 13 seconds - and that was after a United kick-off! Later in the game I managed to grab another goal and we ended up beating Atkinson's team 3-0.

"After the match, the manager took me to one side and told me big Ron had been talking about me and that I should not be surprised if he came in for me. I thought to myself I would believe that when it happened and it didn't - well not for another two months anyway.

"As our season was coming to an end, Giles called me in again to tell me that the United manager was definitely interested in signing me. Before I knew it, I was on my way to Old Trafford.

"The deal was struck on 9 September 1982 and again, it was somewhat complicated. I was going to Manchester on what was virtually an extended trial, with the proviso being that if I didn't make the grade I would go back to Canada the following summer and rejoin the Whitecaps.

"The Whitecaps were paid £250,000 which would be returnable but, if I did join United on a permanent basis, they would double that, topping up the transfer fee to half a million pounds.

"It wasn't the sort of arrangement that would encourage anybody to put down any roots but I went there full of optimism and eagerness. I was joining the most famous club in the land.

"What is more I had enough confidence in my ability to believe, even considering I would be competing for a first-team place with top internationals, that I could be at United for years to come.

"As it turned out, I was barely there for six months. I got on well with big Ron and have nothing but respect for him but I will never believe he gave me a fair crack of the whip."

Beardsley would visit Atkinson's office to ask for his first start but was forced to be patient. "I was forever knocking on his door, pleading for an opportunity. He was always considerate, approachable and understanding of my situation, but that was as far as it went," he explained.

"The break I was looking for did not come. I spent most of the time with United playing for the 'stiffs'. Even then you had to marvel at the reserves of strength they had at the time.

"I shared a dressing room with the likes of Paul McGrath, Mark Hughes, Scott McGarvey, Ashley Grimes, Steven Pears and Alan Davies, to mention just a few in there. The football was enjoyable but after being used to regular first-team duty at Vancouver, it was hard to take.

"I appreciated Ron's predicament. It was difficult trying to cram a pint of talent into a gill pot. He had an embarrassment of riches. But at long last he did give me the opening I was hoping for.

"He might just have been persuaded by the hat-trick I scored for the reserves on the Saturday before United were due to play Bournemouth in the home leg of a League Cup tie.

"For the first and, as it turned out, only time I saw my name on the team sheet to start a game. I suppose against a team from a lower division should have presented an ideal opportunity to show what I could do. But, as is often the case, Bournemouth, with nothing to lose, were no pushovers.

"I have to be honest that I did not play well, but I was certainly no worse than a few others and I was staggered when Ron brought me off with 12 minutes to go and put Norman Whiteside on.

"I was hurt about not being allowed to finish the game. 12 minutes is a long time in football and who was to say I wouldn't have scored? I didn't see the need to exchange a striker for a striker.

"Ron knew I was upset and angry. His assistant Mick Brown tried to cheer me up, telling me there would be other days, but I knew deep down that my United dream was over."

Beardsley's gut instinct was correct and Atkinson informed him United wouldn't make his transfer permanent. "In the end, Ron took me to his office overlooking the pitch at The Cliff training ground and gave me the news I had been expecting," reflected Beardsley years later.

"He was not prepared to make it a permanent move. He was kind enough to explain the situation fully to me... that he did not feel inclined to pay £500,000 when he already had what he believed were ample playing resources at the club. I understood his point of view.

"But I still think I deserved more than one unfinished game in a United first-team shirt. In spite of the way things turned out, I will always be glad of the time I had at Manchester United.

"I know it may sound strange coming from me, but I loved Ron's style of management, He had an infectious personality. He is very enthusiastic and was deeply committed to his profession."

Fortunately for Beardsley, he enjoyed a wonderful career away from Manchester and Atkinson was asked why he didn't sign the diminutive forward on the back of his success.

Atkinson said: "Incidentally, Mark Hughes was the biggest reason why Beardsley didn't join Manchester United because we had Peter from Vancouver and we had to make a decision.

"He was going to cost us £500,000. I said to the reserve coach, what do you think? And he said we have a kid in the reserves who I think is better and he's for nothing - and that was Hughes."

However, Hughes and Beardsley were very different players and perhaps Atkinson didn't want to admit he allowed one of the finest English footballers to leave after one game.