Former Manchester United midfielder Mark Wilson has been freed from his Oxford nightmare to resume his career – though he found out from Sky Sports.
The midfielder was expecting that his contract would not be renewed after a miserable five months with the U’s though was disappointed to be told by the club.
Wilson agreed to move to Oxford United in the January transfer window because he genuinely believed he could help the club with their promotion push.
But manager Chris Wilder opted for a more physical approach leaving the playmaker kicking his heels on the sidelines.
Wilson in fact only featured in six games since his move – with Oxford losing just one of them – but he was overlooked in the run-in as the club’s push for promotion fizzled out, finishing in a disappointing 9th.
Wilson, said: “The way this has ended sort of sums up the whole Oxford journey for me – it’s very disappointing.
“The first I knew of this was when Sky Sports flashed the news up and then the local newspaper reported the story. I had a missed call from the gaffer but I wasn’t asked to come in and nobody else mentioned anything.
“Obviously I’m not exactly surprised. I haven’t been involved in the last few weeks as the manager decided to stick to a particular group of players and try a particular style. It’s a shame.
“I feel particularly disappointed for the supporters because I genuinely believed we had a chance of pushing on for promotion. It was the reason I joined the club.
“The manager has his preferred way of playing and I respect his decision but everyone knew what sort of a player I was before I joined so it is difficult to understand how it all worked out.
“I’m 33-years-of-age so I have another two or three years left and I’d like to finish at a higher level and I really hoped that would have been with Oxford but it was not to be.
“There are already a number of options, there has been interest in the UK and abroad but I’m determined I don’t want to join a team to simply make-up the numbers.
“I wish Oxford, the supporters, the manager, the players and everyone all the best for the future. I just wish I’d had more of a chance to help them achieve their ambitions.”
Wilson, Paul McLaren, Oli Johnson, Anthony Tonkin and Aaron Woodley were all released by Oxford while Asa Hall, Adam Chapman and Wayne Brown were all offered new deals.
Wilder, told the Oxford Times: “They are never easy decisions, whether they’re young players just starting out in their careers like Aaron Woodley or more experienced guys like Paul McLaren, who’s done well for me generally in the time he has been here. The one which was touch-and-go was Oli Johnson.
“He had a few problems with injury but came on and did well in some games and was up and down in others.
“We felt we needed to give ourselves flexibility in that department and we want to keep our options open in the summer.
“I think the emergence of Asa and Adam, who have done pretty well going into the back end of the season, made the decision for Mark Wilson. Paul McLaren has had limited opportunities as well with those two doing well.”
Scott Rendell, Dean Morgan and Cristian Montano were also released following the completion of their loan spells, returning to their parent clubs.
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