Manchester United teammates ‘wanted us to qualify’ says Northern Ireland’s Paddy McNair

Manchester United defender Paddy McNair jokes 'we'll get them in the later stages maybe and knock them out' after his Manchester United teammates supporter Northern Ireland's Euro 2016 qualifying run.

Northern Ireland's Paddy McNair celebrates with coaches after their win against Greece to qualify for Euro 2016 on Thursday night. Paul Faith / AFP / October 8, 2015

Paddy McNair says his Manchester United teammates were cheering on Northern Ireland's push for Euro 2016.

McNair made his first competitive start in Thursday’s 3-1 win over Greece, a result that guaranteed Michael O’Neill’s men would be heading to France.

And there were some big names from the Old Trafford dressing room who were glad to see McNair and company succeed.

“Yeah, they wanted us to qualify. Everybody wanted us to qualify,” he said.

“Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick were rooting for us and I’m sure if we get them (England) in the draw there will be a few words exchanged.

“We’ll get them in the later stages maybe and knock them out,” he added, with a laugh.

“Ander Herrera texted me and I put a few pictures on Instagram and a few of them liked it.”

McNair was pencilled in to play a holding midfield role against Greece but was shifted to right-back when Aaron Hughes pulled out with a calf injury.

He prefers playing centrally, in midfield or defence, but was happy just to have the chance to make his Windsor Park bow in such a high-profile fixture.

“It was a crazy night,” he said.

“We just wanted to get the job done but I don’t think it has sunk in that we have qualified. It is a brilliant feeling.

“It was my very first game at Windsor Park and it was a great game to make my debut there. When Michael said I was starting I was really looking forward to it.

“It was our biggest game in 30 years and for it to be my first game at Windsor it was a good one.”

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