The Hot Topic feature in United's official matchday programme revealed that Johnny Ertl was a big fan of rock music.
The Austrian spoke about his hobby and how he likes to go to gigs.
The Blade interviewed Johnny for the issue against Preston very early in the season and it was one of the first exclusives that the official matchday programme published in the 2010-11 campaign

It's not unusual for a footballer to like his music, or even to be seen usually listening to it when doing anything but playing or training.

Not so many, though, go a stage further and take the time to learn to play an instrument as our new Austrian midfielder Johnny Ertl did around eight years ago:

"I am really into music, play the guitar by myself and like to go to gigs."

That was easy when he was in the capitol with Crystal Palace before switching north but he has been impressed by the music scene he is acquainting himself with:

"I am really into Rock and Indie music, and I always liked the Arctic Monkeys who, of course, are from Sheffield. I follow all music and love everything about it in England.

"The scene is so big with so many excellent musicians and it is nice to listen to music live, even if it is just in a restaurant or at a pub, when small bands play music and the audience joins in."

Johnny's arrival in the summer coincided with the city's now annual music festival which was really up his street:

"I really enjoyed the event - Tramlines - because I walked around the city and saw everything that was going off. It was great to hear live music and see everyone joining in."

Although his interest in music began in Austria, England has a much more thriving and developed popular music culture, although girlfriend Selma is a singer back home. His own expertise has been tested, not at a professional level, but in more relaxed company:

"I used to play in a band in Austria called with 'Without License', it was a social thing really and a switch-off from football. I play the acoustic guitar and that was my role in the band when we had a few gigs for family and friends. "

Despite there being none of his former band members in his new city, it has by no means curtailed his enjoyment:

"I like to play at home in my spare time and have all the amplifiers and headphones. I also watch DVDs of concerts and one of my favourites is AC/DC who I saw in concert in Vienna last summer.

"Now that is a really proper rock band on stage who can entertain the crowd for more than 25 minutes and the crowd never get bored which is unbelievable. I have also seen Franz Ferdinand and The Killers in London and I always try and go to gigs with friends."

Although we get used to being told that London is the centre of everything it is encouraging to hear that whilst he was down there the word was that all the best bands were coming from the north and he is looking forward to watching them.

"My music covers a massive range, depending on my mood, and my IPOD is packed with it," he says, adding that he wasn't the only one at Palace to enjoy his taste:

"Shaun Derry, Danny Butterfield, Matt Lawrence and Alan Lee were interested in the music business and my best friend owns a music company in London. He introduced us to a lot of artists which was very interesting.

"Up here 'Quinny' likes his music, so does 'Cressy' but all the lads enjoy listening to Oasis. I am focused on football but playing my guitar helps me switch off - it is especially relaxing when you are with your family and friends."