Turner, speaking to Football Presse, admitted he was stunned when Manchester United came calling after Sunderland’s relegation back at the end of the 1984/85 season.
“It came at the end of the season when Sunderland had been relegated and my contract had finished,” he said. “I got a phone call from Manchester United late in the close season and I was shocked, to be fair, but delighted in another sense.
“I didn’t want to leave Sunderland, but who could turn Manchester United down?”
Turner moved from being Sunderland’s first-choice goalkeeper to competing with Gary Bailey at Old Trafford, but he embraced the challenge.
“That didn’t concern me. I felt good and confident in my ability. Over a period of time I played quite a number of games for United over three seasons, and it was a pleasure to have done so.”
Although United were not the dominant force they later became under Sir Alex Ferguson, Turner said the pressure was still immense.
“Manchester United hadn’t won the league championship for about 20 years when I was there, so the pressure was always on,” he said.
“People were quick to write the team off. My first season we finished fourth, then sixth, and my last season we finished runners-up to Liverpool. I was proud of the achievements, even though United always expects to finish top.”
Turner also explained Ferguson’s management style differed from popular perception.
“Alex Ferguson didn’t do a lot of the coaching,” he said. “It was Archie Knox who did a lot of the day-to-day work. Sir Alex was more of a man manager, more of a decision-maker in signing players and putting the team together.”
Looking at the modern United side, Turner believes instability since Ferguson’s departure has been costly.
“The recruitment for managers and players since Sir Alex left has been very, very difficult,” he said.
“Every two years they’ve virtually changed the manager. That makes it hard to build anything.”
He also discussed the challenges facing current boss Michael Carrick after taking charge earlier this year.
“Whoever is in there now has got a difficult situation,” Turner said.
“They need to look at the players, look at the opposition in different games and change things. United need pace in the team, legs in the team and consistency in results.”
Turner also discussed the goalkeeping position at United, suggesting the current young replacement, Senne Lammens, for Andre Onana has steadied matters.
“He looks confident enough. He needs games and experience,” Turner said.
“Onana was a little bit up and down and got criticised quite a lot. Sometimes it wasn’t all his fault, but there was inconsistency.”
As for Sunderland, Turner admitted their rise has exceeded expectations.
“There was no expectation last season of achieving promotion,” he said.
“To get into the play-offs, win the final and then come into the Premier League and perform like they have is unbelievable.”
He praised the club’s recruitment after returning to the top flight.
“They’ve spent money on players many people didn’t know, but the recruitment has been nothing but outstanding.
“They’re inside the top 10 and deserve to be there.”
Turner also sees major changes in goalkeeping compared to his own era, pointing to Manchester City’s switch from Ederson to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
“Ederson has been massive for Manchester City over recent years,” he said.
“His style of play was outstanding. Donnarumma needs time to settle in. He isn’t as happy with the ball at his feet as Ederson was, but he’s a very, very good goalkeeper.”
More broadly, Turner believes modern keepers are asked to do completely different jobs.
“It’s a total different game to when I played,” he said.
“They’re sweepers now. They’re taking short goal kicks, passing it three yards to a centre-half. In my time that was a no-no.”
Finally, Turner praised England boss Thomas Tuchel.
“I like Tuchel,” he said. “He has taken control of the squad, which I like.
“He wants them to play fast, entertaining one-touch football, playing forward and playing at a tempo.
“I haven’t enjoyed England performances for a long time, but since Tuchel has come in, I’ve enjoyed the games.”