Most young players are still learning about life as well as football but Jimmy Davis was a natural in both areas.

I had the privilege of meeting Jimmy last year to do an interview after he had turned in a man-of-the-match performance for England Under-20s.

I genuinely couldn't believe how interesting, composed and full of zest a young player could be. We ended up talking for a lot longer than we had planned. He was just so excited to be part of the Manchester United and England set-ups and was waiting to see if the Old Trafford club would let him go on loan the following season to gain first-team experience.

The next day, I remember chatting to other people at The Football Association and saying 'remember the name Jimmy Davis, great on the wing and just as good behind a microphone. He will be a star and is one of life's good guys'.

Jimmy's career was panning out well and he would have lit up the First Division with Watford this year, before returning to Old Trafford. But all those hopes and aspirations were shattered this weekend with the terrible news that Jimmy had died in a car accident.

To lose someone so young and enthusiastic is a tragedy beyond words. But for those who met him or saw him play, he had already made a strong contribution in his young life.

by Joe Bernstein
 

Gary Neville has expressed the hope that Manchester United's moving tribute to Jimmy Davis will at least make the parents of their popular team-mate smile for a moment.

The entire United squad changed into replica shirts bearing Davis' name and his squad number 36 for the trophy presentation following Saturday afternoon's 3-0 FA Cup final victory over Millwall at the Millennium Stadium.

Davis was killed in a road accident last August, an incident that shook everyone at Old Trafford even though the jovial forward had joined Watford on loan for the season.

While they accept nothing they can do will ever ease the pain for Davis' parents, Neville at least hopes it will show the United squad are still thinking of him.

"Winning or losing today wasn't that important," said the England full-back.

"Nine months ago, we had a team-mate. We still think about him and we mention him regularly.

"Hopefully, what we did today will make Jimmy's parents smile for a moment."

United skipper Roy Keane instigated the move, which Sir Alex Ferguson and the rest of the Red Devils camp were fully behind.

"It shows our respect for a terrific lad," said Ferguson.

"Jimmy was a smashing kid. His family have found it very difficult so we hope they know we still remember him."

Keane added: "It was a tribute from all the players.

"It is important we remember how lucky we are."