My dad is a Man Utd legend – but I had to leave rivals Liverpool to make my way in football
TOM INCE left Liverpool to make his own way in football and step out of his father's shadow.
The Watford winger is the son of Manchester United legend Paul Ince, who has managed him at three different clubs during his career.
After progressing through the academy at Liverpool, Ince made one first-team appearance before leaving Anfield aged 19.
Following a loan spell at Notts County, he chose a fresh start at recently relegated Blackpool.
Explaining his decision to leave the Reds, Ince told in 2017: "I was 18, playing in front of 10,000 or 15,000 who have paid to watch you.
"It was better than playing in front of 20 or 30 fans in a reserve game.
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"There is no sense of reward, inspiration or even motivation if you do not have that game at 3pm on a Saturday to look forward to. I did not want to go back to that."
Liverpool even failed with a bid to re-sign Ince just 18 months after his exit.
Meanwhile, he famously turned down a move to Inter Milan in 2014, instead joining Hull.
Ince has gone on to have a successful career in the Football League, though, becoming one of the Championship's most prolific players across the last decade.
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He has scored 104 goals in 473 senior club appearances, including 48 matches in the Premier League for Huddersfield, Crystal Palace and Hull.
The former England under-21 international has also played under his dad for Notts County, Blackpool and Reading, scoring 19 goals in 92 appearances.
Following Reading's relegation last season, Ince secured an immediate return to the Championship with Watford.
He has since scored once and added two assists in nine matches for the Hornets.
Meanwhile, his dad Paul also left Reading this year, departing as manager in April ahead of their relegation.
As a player, Paul is best known for his time with United, Inter and Liverpool.
During six years at Old Trafford, the former England midfielder won 10 major trophies, including two league titles and the Cup Winners' Cup.
