Tyler Blackett on Paul Pogba being the best he has ever played with, his favourite player growing up and the toughest he has ever come up against

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Reading and former Manchester United defender Tyler Blackett has opened up about his playing career.

The 23-year-old defender speaks about the toughest opponent he has come up against to date and his favourite footballing moment.

The Manchester-born player also claims that if he didn't become a footballer, he would have made a career in another sport, such as athletics, NBA or NFL.  

Reading defender Tyler Blackett has revealed all about his short playing career

1 - FIRST FOOTBALL MEMORY

Watching Ronaldinho for Barcelona when Spanish football was first shown on Sky Sports. He was my favourite player growing up. I remember watching him for Brazil at the 2002 World Cup and his free-kick against England. 

2 - BEST PLAYER I’VE PLAYED WITH

Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison were the standout players in the Manchester United youth team. They were the ones who were a bit different. Pogba was similar to how he is now — his style has not really changed. He was ahead of everyone else at that time. 

3 - TOUGHEST OPPONENT

Radamel Falcao. I played against him in training at United and he is the best striker I’ve faced. He was strong, physical, sharp — in training everyone could see what a player he was. It didn’t quite work out for him in the games but in training he was very difficult to handle. 

Blackett says Paul Pogba was ahead of everyone else in the Manchester United youth team

The defender claims that former United man Radamel Falcao was the best striker he ever faced

4 - FAVOURITE FOOTBALLING MOMENT

Last season with Reading in terms of how far we got, the way we played and the togetherness between the team, manager and staff. It didn’t end how we’d have liked it to in the play-off final but last season was my best to date. 

5 - SPORTING HERO

I have a few both in and out of football. There are the United legends Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Paul Scholes, Usain Bolt in athletics and Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan in basketball. Their drive, mentality and work ethic is there for all to see. 

6 - TOUGHEST AWAY GROUND

Millwall always stands out. I played there a few years ago while on loan at Birmingham and it is a difficult place to go. It was loud — the fans are on top of you and generate a good atmosphere. 

7 - THE FIRST ALBUM I BOUGHT

When I was younger my mum probably bought me a CD or two but from an early age I’ve streamed or downloaded. So Far Gone by Drake and Kanye West’s Late Registration are the two that stand out. 

Blackett reveals that Ryan Giggs and David Beckham were some of his sporting heroes

8 - KARAOKE SONG

I’m not a big fan of karaoke. If I was to do it, the song would have to be something well known — a classic or a No1 — but I have no idea what I’d sing! 

9 - BEST-DRESSED TEAM-MATE

I’d put myself up there for one! Liam Moore can dress up a bit, too, and I think it would be a tie between us. I do like to ship and browse and see the latest fashion. I’m quite into it. 

10 - DREAM DINNER PARTY GUESTS

Will Smith, Michael Jackson and Usain Bolt. Bolt came to Manchester United a while back but I didn’t get to meet him — I think I was out on loan!

11 - IF I WASN’T A FOOTBALLER

I would have to be involved in something in another sport — either athletics, NBA or NFL.

He also admits his dream dinner guests would be Usain Bolt, Will Smith and Michael Jackson