Irwin is speaking from experience as, although he claimed 18 trophies during his time with United, he was also on the losing side in several finals.
One summer that sticks in his mind is 1995, when the Reds were beaten in the FA Cup final by Everton at Wembley, less than a week after being pipped to the title by Blackburn Rovers.
“We lost the league six days prior to that and it sticks in my mind more than winning trophies,” Denis recalls. “Absolutely, it drives you to go again.
“I went away in the summer of ’95, played a few games for Ireland [in the qualifiers for Euro ‘96] and then I came back.
“You have got to go again. It’s as simple as that. There is a huge hunger and desire there for the lads to win trophies. They have to come back, ready to go again on the first day of pre-season.”
