Quinton Fortune, born Cape Town, South Africa, May 21, 1977. Quinton Fortune kick-started his professional career with Mallorca in 1995 before he joined Spanish Primera Division club Atletico Madrid the following year. A lavishly gifted midfield creator, he was later discovered by Sir Alex Ferguson and was handed his Premier League debut for Manchester United in a 5-1 win against Newcastle United at Old Trafford on the 30th of August 1999.
Quinton Fortune, who was born on the very same day as Manchester United won the unforgettable 1977 FA Cup Final against old arch rivals Liverpool, was struggling to settle down in the beginning. After developing his talent, however, the attack minded midfield man eventually managed to become a regular member of the first team squad. The South Africa international spent seven years at Manchester United, but never quite made it into Sir Alex Ferguson’s plans. Unfortunately, the energetic youngster was hampered by a string of serious injuries and was laid low for considerable periods during his stay at the Old Trafford club. After notching up 76 Premier League appearances for Manchester United, the injury prone player decided to make a move to Bolton Wanderers where he was given a new lease of life. Following trials with Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland, and Sheffield United, the South African then appeared for Brescia, Tubize, and Doncaster Rovers before he called it a day in 2010. On the international stage, he made his senior debut for South Africa as a second half replacement for Dumisa Ngobe in a 1-0 Simba Cup victory over Kenya at Kings Park Stadium in Durban on the 14th of September 1996, and clocked up 53 appearances for the country of his birth, including playing in two World Cups and the Sydney 2000 Olympics. South Africa has no doubt produced several great football players in the past, Fortune being one of them. Quinton Fortune Playing Career: Mallorca, Atletico Madrid, Manchester United, Bolton Wanderers, Brescia, Tubize, Doncaster Rovers. Managing Career: None.