United snubbed move for Czech stopper.
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Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed in his new autobiography that he talked himself out of signing Petr Cech 12 years ago when he was still playing for French club Rennes, the Daily Star reports.
The former United boss had watched Cech as a fresh faced 19-year-old and though he was impressed by what he saw, he decided that the Czech international was just too young.
But now at 31 years of age Cech has gone on to see himself become one of the world’s best goalkeepers after Claudio Ranieri decided to take a chance on him two years later by bringing him to Chelsea.
Arriving at Stamford Bridge for £7m, he quickly went on to displace Carlo Cudicini in the Chelsea goal during his first season in England.
And since the first season he has gone on to pick up three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and a Champions League along the way.
Ferguson also revealed that he missed out on signing the likes of Paolo Di Canio, Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Paul Gascoigne and Ronaldinho during his 27 years at Old Trafford.
Cech has gone on to make over 400 appearances for the Blues.