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The Carlisle-born 29-year old has recently been completing his rehabilitation from that injury at Brunton Park with Carlisle physiotherapist Neil Dalton after moving back to Cumbria in November. Murray was keen to give something back to the club for that help, and, despite reported interest from Championship sides, "Muzza" was eager to stay with his local club and hopefully play a part in the late-season promotion push.
Murray started life out on the professional footballing ladder way back in 1993 having worked his way through the YTS scheme. In total he made 36 appearances (plus 15 as a substitute) for United and scored his only goal in a 5-2 win at Hull City in December 1995, that season he was a vital cog in the machine that sent Carlisle roaring to the Division Three title in an oustanding campaign for the Cumbrians. He wasn't at the club to see the other side of the coin and United's relegation from Division Three though the next year as he made a surprise loan move to Queens Park Rangers in early March 1996. That move being made permanent at the end of the season for a reported fee of £300,000, although it is likely that it was nearer the £750,000 mark.
The one-time England Youth, B and under-21 international made 131 appearances (plus 25 as a substitute), scoring 8 goals in the process before moving down to the south coast and teaming up with Southampton on a free transfer in July 2001. Murray was no doubt brought to the Saints through the influence of ex-United boss Mick Wadsworth who was on the coaching staff of the Hampshire club at the time. He failed to force his way into the Southampton first-team however and made only one substitute appearance before once again joining a Wadsworth coached club in December 2001 when he joined Oldham on a free transfer.
Murray started 102 times (plus three as a substitute) for the Wadsworth run Latics, scoring 15 times in the process. Wadsworth was sacked by Oldham at the end of May 2002 but Murray stayed on with the Latics until the finish of the 2003-04 season when he left England on a free transfer to once more team up with Wadsworth, this time at Portugese club Beira Mar. Murray had dislocated his kneecap twice previously, once at Oldham and once at QPR, add to that two broken feet and a broken leg, and like Michael Bridges at United, injuries have not been kind to the midfielder. That knee problem was still plaguing Murray though and in November 2005, after extensive surgery on his knee following another injury to it, he decided to end his stay in Portugal and come back to his hometown club of Carlisle to complete his rehabilitation and hopeful return to playing fitness.
Paul has come through those four months of hard slog in the gym successfully and United boss Paul Simpson obviously liked what he saw in the training and dedication of Murray as he decided to take the plunge and put the midfielder on the books. Murray comes into the squad in a congested midfield area though and it would seem likely that he will feature mainly for the reserves in the next month or so as he works his way back up to full match fitness. What it also means for Radio Cumbria match commentator Derek Lacey is anyone's guess as if the three Murray's - Adam, Glenn and Paul - all take to the field at the same time there could easily be a case of spontaneous combustion in the press box.
Welcome back to Carlisle United Paul and good luck.