Fergie No to Tate return - - The official of Alan Tate

Press article:

Fergie No to Tate return - 15/09/2003

I can understand his decision

The 20-year-old centre-back was keen to return, but Old Trafford chief Sir Alex Ferguson vetoed the move.

'I would love to come back but Sir Alex wants me to face a different challenge now,' said the 6ft 1in defender.

'I played for Swansea in the Third Division last season and he doesn't want me to go and do the same again.'

Tate, who recently rejected a three-month loan to Scottish Premier side Livingston, added: 'My contract with United is up at the end of the season, but hopefully I will get a new one and the lads at Swansea will get promoted to the Second Division.

'I think then I will be able to come and play for Swansea again, but for now I don't think I'll be going on loan anywhere.

'Once I knew I wasn't going back to Swansea, I didn't want to go anywhere.'

Swansea's need for a central defender only deepened over the weekend when Leon Hylton limped out of the 2-2 draw with Scunthorpe.