 He never made a first team appearance for the "Red Devils", but Dario Gradi spotted the youngster's potential, and secured Westwood's services for Crewe Alexandra for a £40,000 fee.Westwood slotted in well to the Second Division side.He played fifty games in the 1996–97 season, including the 1–0 win play-off final over Brentford that took the "Railwaymen" into the First Division.