Goalkeeper's dream return scuppered.

GUTTED. That's Manchester United 'keeper Nick Culkin who will miss the Premiership champions' eagerly awaited pre-season friendly encounter with York City.

The York-born 22-year-old has linked up with Second Division Bristol Rovers in a season-long loan from Old Trafford.

The switch has put paid to Culkin's dream of playing for United at Bootham Crescent in front of family and friends on July 29.

However, the former York intermediate, who signed for United in 1995 for £100,000, accepts his Pirate stint can only help realise his dream of becoming the Red Devils' number one.

Ironically, the pre-season friendly was arranged following Culkin's one-minute Premiership debut for United against Arsenal last year.

When he was snapped up by Sir Alex Ferguson almost five years ago City insisted on a clause that United would play the Minstermen once Culkin made his first-team bow.

"It was going to be my game and I thought they might name it after me," joked an amiable Culkin.

"I'm actually absolutely gutted to be missing it. I could have played in the match and had all my family there to watch.

"It's not always worth it for them to come all the way over to Manchester to see me play in a reserve game and I was really looking forward to putting in a good performance against my old club and showing what I can do."

Despite playing for arguably the biggest football club in the world, Culkin, who joined City's school of excellence as a 12-year-old, hasn't forgotten his roots.

And he admitted he was delighted to be still helping swell the coffers of his home-town club almost five years after crossing the Pennines.

Indeed, it was the money from Culkin's transfer that helped City develop their much-envied Wigginton road training complex.

"The York result is still the one I always look for and if I can do anything to help I am all for it," he said.

"They are a big club in the wrong division but I know they have got a good manager and a good set of lads and they should do well this year."

Despite linking up on loan with Bristol Rovers and the arrival of World Cup and Euro 2000 winner Fabien Barthez to challenge Mark Bosnich at Old Trafford, Culkin insisted his dream of becoming United's first choice 'keeper remained alive.

In fact, the temporary swapping of the Theatre of Dreams for the Memorial Stadium could only enhance his cause, he reasoned.

As an example for Culkin, who enjoyed a short-loan spell with Hull City last season, United once sent David Beckham on loan to Preston North End before the England midfielder became a world star.

"That dream is always going to be there. Until I am told I am not wanted by Manchester United then I will always believe in that dream.

"Next year I am going to go back and work even harder and keep pushing.

"Sir Alex has sent me down here to get first team experience and get some games under my belt so I can go back to United with that experience and make a real push for the number one shirt.

"It is definitely a step forward. I have been playing reserve team football for three, four years now and this is the next step up for me. It can only benefit my career.

"The staff at United know that. They will come and watch me to see how good I am at this level and if I do well it can only help me."

Culkin's United debut must go down as one of the shortest in history.

Raimond van der Gouw picked up a facial injury in the final minute at Highbury, giving Culkin just enough time to take a goal kick before the final whistle blew.

"I think it will probably become a Trivial Pursuit question, " said Culkin. "But it was good experience for me to make my debut and York City have got a game with United out of it."

dave.stanford@ycp.co.uk