After returning to Brunton Park on a half-season loan from Shrewsbury Town, we spoke to Alex Gilliead.
Speaking to CUTV, he said: "I'm buzzing to be back. I've just been saying there, I think it was 10 years ago I was last here and I had an amazing time when I came here. So, back again with obviously the gaffer who I know and a few familiar faces, so I'm ready to get going.
"It's obviously good coming back, you know, once you've been here once, kind of know the area, obviously know the stadium and things like that. The changing rooms, there's a few things changed since I was last here, obviously 10 years ago, but yeah, more than happy to be back and like I said, I'm just ready to get going."
When asked if he felt like he had unfinished business at United, he responded: "You could say that. You know, when I first came, I was just kind of a young boy, on my first loan from Newcastle, so I was just trying to find my feet, you know, in the footballing world and, you know, I had a good time here and it did help me out a lot.
"I came and I played a lot of games and got to know men's football, so I'm happy to be back and, you know, there's obviously a big aim this season is to get back into the EFL, so that's what I want to help the club do."
On the changes around the club since he was last here, Alex explained: "It's obviously good, you know, the times are changing in football, so the little things that have been done will help us out, you know, help the lads out and obviously the training pitch at the back, that's still the same but I think it's a bit of a historic ground as well, it's got that old feel to it, which is massive, you know, I love that type of feeling in the ground, so it's got both sides of it and I think, you know, the project that they want to do here with the gaffer and the lads, it can only go one way, so like I say, I'm just ready to get going with the lads tomorrow and hopefully I can help out a lot."
Talking on his move here in further detail, Gilliead stated: "It was early on in the summer when I'd first heard about it and, you know, I wanted to do it, it took a bit of time, I think, I'd mentioned that it'd like to do it, but one thing or another happened and I ended up staying for a bit longer, you know, so I tried to knuckle down and help out there as best I can, but then as soon as they've said that I could come here, you know, I jumped at the chance, so it was just about getting it sorted yesterday.
"There was a few options that I did have, but obviously working with the gaffer and, you know, seeing the squad and the project that they want to do, I really wanted to come back here and, like I say, I've had some good times here and I just want to create some more."
Discussing changes to his game and also from a personal standpoint since he was last here, he said: "I've changed a lot as a person, obviously got a lot older, you know, I came here as a bit of a baby when I was 19, 20, but I think they'll probably remember me for being on the wing, getting at people, you know, 1v1 and I've kind of changed with the gaffer, he was the first person when I was at Bradford to put me in the middle and I kind of stayed in there ever since, but, you know, I can play very different, very different positions and I don't mind doing that.
Having previously worked with Alex at Bradford City, we asked what influence Mark Hughes had on this loan deal, he responded: "Massive, you know, I get on well with the gaffer and I think, obviously, he must like me to want to work with me again and when I spoke to him yesterday, I said to him I would like to come in and work with him and, you know, I feel like I did play some good football under him when I last had him.
"I feel like I know the way he wants us to work, obviously high energy and getting about the pitch and things like that, so that suits me to a T, so I'm just going to have to bide my time and wait for my chance and then hopefully take it when it comes."
Having amassed several years of playing in the EFL, Gilliead joins the club with plenty of knowledge and experience and when asked if he'd be looking to share that with the group, Alex said: "As the weeks go on, I'll start to lend my voice to the lads, you know, I've never played at this level but I'm sure it's the same as any other level I've played at, that it's, you know, winning games of football is all that matters, so I'll definitely be trying to help the lads out here where I can.
"I'll be a voice in the changing room and, you know, ultimately we've all got the same goal and that's to get the club back to the EFL."
Talking in more depth about his strengths, he stated: "'I'll touch wood that I can be available for most of the games, I'd like to think that I'll show on the pitch that I can give 100% and, you know, that I will try my best for the team and, you know, never give up.
"I think as a team we've got to try and show that to the fans and I did that last time when I was here and, you know, the fans really appreciate it so I know that's the minimum that you have to give and I'll have to give as well.
"I know it's only a short time that I'm meant to be here but, if I could, I'd like to stay here for a couple of years, you know, like I've said just before, the club's got an upward trajectory and I think that it'll be a great place once we can get it going and get it bouncing and, you know, they've had a good start to the season.
"It's just about carrying that on and maintaining that and I want to be a part of it, I want to be here so I'd like to stay for as long as I can really."
Alex joins a group of familiar faces within the squad, having played with Charlie Wyke during his previous spell here, whilst also previously playing alongside the likes of Morgan Feeney and Harry Lewis and Shrewsbury Town and Bradford City, respectively.
"Charlie Wyke, he was my best man at my wedding so I know him a fair bit, Jordan Jones I know really through Chaz (Charlie Wyke), so I've got quite close with him.
"Then obviously Morgan Feeney, I was with last year at Shrewsbury Town, who I get on well with,and then a few other lads, you know, Ethan Robson and the Sunderland lads, that connection of playing against them when I was younger. Also Harry Lewis I played with at Bradford so there's quite a few, you know."
Gilliead took part in his first training session for the Blues on Tuesday morning, talking about how that went, he said: "It was sharp, very sharp, you know, coming in I know there's some good players, good technical players in the group and it was very sharp and, you know, I like what I saw and I think hopefully I can add to the group.
"I just want to play as many games as I can, you know, I haven't played in the past couple of weeks. I want to get back and enjoy my football as well, obviously wanting to contribute a lot on the pitch and, you know, I need to be helping the team out so I'm just looking forward to getting going."
Sending a message to United's supporters, Alex said: "Stick with us, it'll be a bumpy ride I'm sure, it'll be ups and downs but, you know, we're all pulling in the same direction, we all want the same thing.
"It's a big club, everyone will be wanting to come for us but we're going to have to show how good we are on the pitch and I'm sure we will."
