Here are excerpts from an interview with Graeme Joffe on Sportsfire.

Graeme Joffe:   Born  May 7, 1965, former Manchester United and Everton great, Norman Whiteside.  Welcome to South Africa.

Norman Whiteside:     Thanks. I was just having a think, the last time I was in South Africa, it was 1983, when we passed through Joburg to play Tottenham Hotspur in Swaziland.

GJ:   So, you are getting to experience South Africa properly this time during Man United’s pre-season tour?

NW:   Yes and the support has been amazing so far. Something like 30 000 to watch AmaZulu against Man United. I mean that is the pulling power of Manchester United worldwide.

GJ:   United’s new acquisitions, Shinji  Kagawa and Nick Powell –  your thoughts?

NW:     I don’t know much about the young Powell I must admit and know just about as much as everybody else re: Kagawa but he scored lots of goals in Germany.

GJ:   And the new Premier League season, do you see more than just City and United getting into the title race?

NW:     Yes, it will probably be between the top four or five again. Chelsea will be there, Arsenal, Man City and United.

GJ:   Looking back at your career, more than 200 games for United and Everton and I can still remember your goal in the 1985 FA Cup final, as if it were yesterday. 

NW:     Yes, as a kid I was brought up in Belfast and it is every kid’s dream to be a professional footballer but then to go and score a goal in a cup final, makes it that much more special, to represent you country at such a young age as well.

GJ:   You played two World Cups for Northern Ireland by the age of 21 but then to retire from the game at just 26. Would that be your biggest disappointment?

NW:  Yes, of course, but I did start at 16 when I got onto Manchester first team. So, I got 10 years out of the game, which I will always be happy with.

GJ:   Today, are you still very involved in football?

NW:     No, I work at Old Trafford on a match day, doing the corporate stuff, which I love doing. I have been doing that for about 19 years. Great to have time here in South Africa, for a week or so and watch a match, do a few little functions and have a few nights out.

GJ:   And I think I read somewhere, you were a podiatrist?

NW:     Yes, at 26, I went back to school and qualified as a podiatrist. So, I did a little bit of podiatry work back in Manchester.

GJ:   England at the Euro Championships, a lot of critics have been saying that if it’s the same squad going to the next World Cup, they can’t win it. Would you agree with that?

NW:     Well, you only thing you can look at is that they can only improve. They are young enough, there are some good skilful players there but right now, not the work of champions, that is for sure.

GJ:   Manchester United, an unbelievable football club, coached by probably one of the greatest managers ever. To play for a club like this must be something very special?

NW:     Well, I was there when Alex Ferguson arrived and you know he came down with  a lot of discipline and he had his own ideas. What he was going to do with the club and he has turned it around and we say, the rest is history.

GJ:   Did you ever get hit by one of the hairdryers?

NW:     Oh, I am lucky, Graeme, I am one of the few that has never had it in public. I am proud of that fact. But if I am being honest, I got the hairdryer in his office but never in front of the other players.

GJ:   Who would you regard as Manchester United’s greatest player?

NW:  No question about it, Bryan Robson always gets the No 1 vote.
GJ:   It’s been a privilege chatting to you on SportsFire and   enjoy the rest of your time in South Africa.

NW:     Thanks and I’m hoping to bump into Gary Bailey while I’m here.

GJ:   Was he a decent keeper?

NW: Yes, he was but a got one or two past him.

- Catch Sportsfire with Graeme Joffe on Radio Today on Monday and Thursday from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on 1485AM and DSTV audio channel 169.

Also  streaming worldwide on www.1485.org.za.

Follow Joffe on Twitter @joffersmyboy.