In 2003, French forward David Bellion joined Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United at the age of 21 after impressing at Sunderland.

Bellion, 34, recently hung up his boots following a three-year stint at French third tier club Red Star.

Interested in art and culture over football, the former Premier League star is now the "creative director" at Red Star.

Once considered one of the quickest footballers on the planet, Bellion did not fare well during his two-year stay at Old Trafford.

He scored four Premier League goals in 24 appearances - later describing his time at Manchester United as "frustrating".

Following an unsuccessful loan spell at West Ham, Bellion returned to his native France and earned himself a reputation as a capable Ligue 1 player at Nice and Bordeaux.

"I asked to join West Ham on loan (when I was at Manchester United)," said Bellion in 2006. "But human relations aren't easy with Alan Pardew - I don't want to talk about it.

"So I quickly decided to join Nice in order to come back home and to play more.

The Sun tracked him down in Paris for an exclusive interview this week and Bellion spoke candidly about United's legendary retired manager.

Ferguson stepped down in 2013 after claiming 13 Premier League titles during a wildly successful 26 year stay in charge.

What Sir Alex Ferguson would say before every home game

Despite only playing a bit-part role, Bellion loved his time at Manchester United and revealed what his manager would tell the players ahead of every home game.

“It’s true when people say Sir Alex was like a father," said Bellion, as per The Sun. "How could you ever not listen to his advice? He was the best.

“The last thing he would always say before a home match was, ‘Enjoy the game, you’re playing at the Theatre of Dreams.

“It puts football in its rightful place. It’s a game. Of course, when you’re playing for such a big club you have to be serious — but at the same time we were not inventing a medicine that saves lives.

“It was all about bringing happiness to the wonderful supporters and although I don’t love football intensely I loved my time at that club.”

You rarely find an ex-player of Ferguson who has nothing but respect for the great man.