5 players who slipped out of Sir Alex Ferguson's grasp
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Manchester United – the name in itself is so magnetic that most of the top players in world football would like to sign for them at least once during their playing career. While some of them made it to the Theatre of Dreams and marched their way to glory, others found the grass to be greener in the other stadiums. Here is a list of all such people who were so near, yet so far from United:
5. Alan Shearer:
Alan Shearer was England‘s top striker in the early 90′s. Southampton saw a host of clubs, including Manchester United, waiting in front of St. Marys to secure his signature. In 1992, he chose Blackburn over all the clubs and had an exceptional season in ’95, as he helped them sneak the Premier League title from under the nose of Manchester United by a point.
“There was interest from Manchester United, but I was told I had to wait three or four weeks for them to get the money together. I felt if they really wanted me then they would come and get me immediately. I had already spoken to Blackburn and told Kenny Dalglish, Ray Harford and Jack Walker that I would give them an answer in three of four days – and my answer was yes.”
As a result of that, Sir Alex went to Leeds and snapped up Eric Cantona, who went on to become on of the best Manchester United players ever. By 1996, Shearer had netted 112 times in 138 games for Rovers and was getting set for his next big move. Shearer once again slipped out of Sir Alex Ferguson’s grasp and joined home-town team Newcastle United. Sir Alex had to settle for plan B and signed Teddy Sheringham, who incidentally went on to score one of the goals in the famous Champions League win that United scripted in 1999 against Bayern Munich.
4. Micheal Essien:
He is one of three players who was about to sign for Manchester United and ended up at Stamford Bridge. One player who would fit in perfectly in the United team would be Michael Essien. He was also given a trial during his time at Bastia.
“I had two trials at United, but I was seen as too small. I think Sir Alex was looking for a certain type of player and I wasn’t the one then.”
“The Bison” as he was known later, signed for Chelsea in 2005 for £24.4 million from Lyon. He grew up idolizing Roy Keane and wanted to step into his role at United. He would have provided much needed steel to the United team, which they lacked in the early part of 2000, which lead Chelsea to two consecutive titles.
3. Jon Obi Mikel:
One of the biggest transfer controversies in the English Premier League unfolded in 2005. Jon Obi Mikel, one of the brightest young prospects was announced as a Manchester United player in 2005 after agreeing terms with the player. He was even seen wearing the number 21 shirt during a press conference and that was the last time though.
In the background, Chelsea agreed a deal with Mikel’s agent. What happened later was chaos. The player was reportedly “kidnapped”, only to surface in London as a Chelsea player. The issue was solved after FIFA interfered, and Chelsea was made to pay the transfer fee to both Manchester United and Lyn Oslo, the player’s parent club.
2. Arjen Robben:
United had secured the services of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2002-03, who donned the right flank, and were looking to balance it by bringing in the left footed Arjen Robben. The flying Dutchman had agreed personal terms with the club before the 2003 – 04 season, and even completed a stadium tour with his dad, only to be signed by Chelsea, who secured the services of the so called “life long Manchester United” supporter and ex- Chairman Peter Kenyon, who was the villain behind Robben’s move to Chelsea.
“We have taken a look around and have spoken with manager Alex Ferguson,” Robben’s dad said. “We have a good feeling about it. We had permission to take a look at the club. On Friday and Saturday we did that. Manager Alex Ferguson showed us the stadium and the training accommodation. Furthermore we had dinner with him. Before we went to Manchester, we had two questions in mind. We would like to know the environment of the club and how many matches Robben could play. Following talks with Ferguson this could be 40 matches. Both questions have been answered very positively. It will be PSV or Manchester United. We are thinking about that now.”
Just when the €7 million move was about to be agreed with United, Roman Abrahamovich and Peter Kenyon splashed the cash and snapped up the winger for €18 million.
1. Ronaldinho
Probably the costliest miss by Sir Alex Ferguson. 2002 – 03 season saw the poster boy of Old Trafford, David Beckham, pack his bags and join Real Madrid. With money to burn, Sir Alex was quick to short-list Ronaldinho, who had a brilliant World Cup and was making heads turn. A fee in the region of £20m was verbally agreed between PSG and Manchester United. However, Peter Kenyon revised his offer when he learned that Barcelona had offered only around £18 Million. This left PSG fuming, and they sold Ronaldinho to the Catalans, stating that the transfer had become a matter of principle. As a result of the failed transfer, United signed an 18-year-old Portuguese rookie known as Cristiano Ronaldo.
Recently the Brazilian also stated, “If Manchester United had signed me they would have won more European Cups!”
There have also been more players whom United missed by a whisker, including Gareth Bale, Xavi, Paul Gascoigne and Karim Benzema.
Disclaimer: All opinions expressed here are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those of the site.