As Manchester United's Young Player of the Year for 1997, the solid full back, with good tackling and recovery skills, had already made a highly promising start to his professional career when selected for the England U21 squad, even before he had made his full debut for his club. Thrust into the limelight by Alex Ferguson for United's Coca Cola Cup tie against Ipswich last October, he earned a glowing reference from his manager who said: "It was good for John Curtis.

He had an excellent game and is obviously a player with a good future." Having made his Premiership debut against Barnsley at Old Trafford at the end of October, his next big headline was his sending-off offence whilst playing for Young England against Greece in November.

Apart from this minor transgression, the future looks extremely bright for the former England youth team captain.