ALEX FERGUSON’S FORMER assistant manager Mike Phelan has praised Robbie Brady for the maturity he has shown since departing Manchester United.

The Dubliner spent five years with the Premier League heavyweights and made one league cup appearance before following up two loan spells at Hull with a permanent move last January.

Having scored on his senior debut for Ireland a year ago, the 21-year-old helped helped lead the Tigers to Premier League promotion and began this season excellently, scoring four goals, before a hernia problem forced him into a spell on the sidelines.

Brady wasn’t fit enough to feature in either of Martin O’Neill’s first two games in charge  this month but is expected to return to Premier League action this weekend and is sure to be included in the next Ireland squad to face Serbia next March, fitness permitting.

Speaking in Dublin yesterday, Phelan, who was part of Ferguson’s back-room staff for 12 years, spoke glowingly of his former player:

Robbie can be anything he wants to be,” said Phelan. “He’s a determined guy, he has served his apprenticeship at United, he has grown up a lot and can now make decisions for himself.

“You can see that the maturity is there. He made the move which was important for him at the time to get the correct club. He has took it really well, he has become more professional and it benefits him, Ireland and the club he is playing for.”

Mike Phelan was speaking in Dublin where Setanta Sports announced their Christmas and New Year’s fixtures. To subscribe to Setanta Sports visit setanta.com

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