Veteran defender Curtis, 32 last week, made his A-League bow in United’s 1-0 loss to Melbourne Victory on August 29.

The Victorians earned a valuable away win against an out-of-sorts Gold Coast with Curtis the first to put his hands up.

But after two intense weeks of training on the glitter strip, the experienced Englishman, who signed two months ago, is confident some of his old sharpness is about to return after a leg injury delayed his A-League debut.

And he’ll need it as United look to contain the ladder-leading Glory’s in-form superstar Robbie Fowler and Co.

Asked how he felt he performed against Victory and Curtis concedes: “Terribly, really.

“I was disappointed… I was sluggish to say the least. I’d not played for a while there but as a professional you prepare as best as you possibly can to avoid all these things.

“Hopefully this next game [against Perth] I’ll be better.”

Sunday’s clash at nib Stadium is set to pit Curtis against an old foe from his EPL days in Fowler. But the match also could see another reunion of sorts.

Curtis and Glory captain Jacob Burns played against each other 11 years ago when United toured Australia.

Curtis was a second half substitute for Dennis Irwin in a 2-0 victory over the Socceroos at the MCG in front of 60,000 fans. Nicky Butt and Jesper Blomqvist with the goals.

Burns was a late substitute for Danny Tiatto in a green and gold "B" side coached by Raul Blanco.

The newly crowned UEFA Champions League, EPL and FA Cup winners also featured current Fox Sports pundit Mark Bosnich and one-time Sydney FC star Dwight Yorke.

The tour whet Curtis’s appetite for Australia but in 1999 aged just 19 he had his career in front of him.

After leaving United following a two-year stint, Curtis made his mark at Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest as well as various other English clubs. Eventually, his career found its way back to these shores this year.

And with his girlfriend and son in tow, Curtis is already eyeing staying here long-term after settling quickly on the Gold Coast.  

Nuneaton-born Curtis believed there  is a bright future in Australia if we can strengthen the link between junior development and A-League football.

 “Australia has an amazing gene pool for an island of just 22 million it’s consistently in the top five or ten of virtually every sport they compete in," he said. "And since being here you can understand that – everyone’s outdoors.

“The amount of kids playing football is amazing. There are so many small football clubs with players starting at U8s… The foundations are very, very strong.

“From the football point of view it just needs to be a little more organised at the top with structured development for these kids coming through so they can be brought through and grow the A-League.”

Curtis believes all A-League clubs should have junior structures in place from the youngest through to NYL age in order to educate young players in their respective A-League club’s football philosophy and style.  

“I know the Football League and Premier League [in England] bankroll the youth set ups especially at the lower league clubs," he said.

"Even Conference teams in England have U9s 10s, 11s, 12s so there’s continuity in coaches and style of play so when they do come through into the first team they know exactly what they’re doing."

He added: “If the youth development can integrate into the professional game here then definitely I’d think it’s a bright future.”