Man United man explains why he rejected Crystal Palace and Southampton

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Portsmouth loanee Di’Shon Bernard has no regrets about choosing Manchester United over Premier League rivals Crystal Palace and Southampton despite a lack of first-team chances at the Premier League giants, speaking to The News. 

Bernard, on October 14^th, celebrated his 22^nd birthday.

And one suspects that, if he was going to break through at Man United, he’d have done so already. After loan spells at Salford City and Hull, Bernard was farmed out again on deadline day last month; joining Portsmouth on a short-term deal until the end of the current campaign. 

But, despite making just one senior appearance for United in six years, the one-time Chelsea prospect believes the positives of learning his trade at one of Europe’s biggest clubs far outweigh the negatives. 

Di’Shon Bernard chose Man United over Crystal Palace and Southampton

“I had a few trials after being released (by Chelsea in 2017),” Bernard recalls. “Palace actually offered a scholarship and pro terms, while Southampton and Manchester United put a scholarship in front of me. 

“I chose to go to United, though, I took the risk. And it paid off in the end. 

“I went straight into their scholarship programme, with Kieran McKenna. Looking back, I learnt a lot under him. It’s great to now see him at Ipswich as a manager doing well.” 

McKenna, formerly Man United’s U18 coach, is now at the helm of one of England’s sleeping giants, aiming to shake Ipswich Town from their lengthy slumber. The Tractor Boys were 12^th in League One when McKenna was hired in December 2021. They are now third, and not yet out of the automatic promotion race. 

Bernard, meanwhile, has made an excellent start to life at mid-table Pompey. He was named in WhoScored’s League One Team of the Week following a colossal display on debut against Barnsley over the weekend. That is despite starting out of position at right-back. 

“I thought he did really well against one of the better attacking left wing-backs in the league in (Nicky) Cadden. He was excellent,” Portsmouth coach John Mousinho explains. 

“There were a couple of bits we spoke with him at half-time. He took those on board and adjusted nicely. I thought he had a brilliant debut. I think there is bright things to come (from him).”