Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker has shared a memorable poker story from his football playing days in an interview with British Gambler, recalling how a casual card game on an away trip with teammates ended with him snatching victory with a perfectly timed reveal.
“One of the poker hands that’s stuck with me came during a low-key game on an away trip while I was at Manchester United. It was nothing serious, just a way to unwind.
“I picked up pocket aces, a strong starting hand, and the flop brought an ace, giving me a set. The betting stayed fairly steady, everyone just feeling things out, and I tried to keep my reactions in check.
“At showdown, one player turned over a decent pair, another had hit two pair – both hands good enough to win plenty of small pots on another night. Then I revealed my set of aces, comfortably the best of the bunch. There were a few groans from the other two players as they realised I’d snatched it at the end – those were always the most satisfying kind of hands.”
Mainoo should leave Man United in January
Away from the card table, Parker also weighed in on current Manchester United issues – starting with Kobbie Mainoo’s lack of minutes this season.
“Kobbie Mainoo needs to want to play football and get minutes,” he said. “The way he’s been conducting himself has been right, he’s letting other people talk, but no one really knows the truth of what’s going on.
“Although he wants to be a United player, I think he needs to go somewhere he can get those minutes and play football in January. If United want him to come good, they can’t just keep him there for the sake of having someone who’s come through the academy and stick him on the bench.
“He’s been put on the back foot since he appeared in that Euros Final for England, and now the chances of him going to the World Cup are nothing, because he just hasn’t been given the minutes this season. He’s got to forget about that now, and think more about just playing football.
“He needs to go somewhere of note to a decent club and start playing football again, he needs to get that belief back.”
Mount returning to his best
Parker then highlighted Mason Mount’s improving form and signs of his Chelsea-era influence returning.
“Mason Mount has had a difficult time at United, but he’s looked a lot better now and stayed fitter for longer,” he said. “I think injuries in the squad to the likes of Matheus Cunha have actually worked in his favour to get him some more gametime on the pitch to show what he’s made of.
“Mount has a bit more to him than the rest of the team at the moment – he’s got that desire to prove himself at the club and do well there after quite a slow start to his career. That attitude and drive is what served him so well at Chelsea, so I’m hoping to see more of the same from him.”
