Manchester United have signed some of Europe’s finest players – including Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy – over the years and typically the Red Devils are linked with an array of top talent in this summer’s window.
Sergio Ramos and Bastian Schweinsteiger [BBC Sport] are the latest world-class names to be linked with a move to Old Trafford -could they be set to join this list of players that spurned a move to the Theatre of Dreams?
Take a look below at 10 stars who almost joined the Premier League giants…
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Ramos tactically negotiating new contract with Real, claims Guillem Balague
10. Paul Gascoigne
The England legend rejected the chance to sign for Manchester United in 1988 after allegedly promising Sir Alex Ferguson that he would move to Old Trafford. Instead he opted for a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur – a decision Fergie still agonises over a decade later [London Evening Standard].
9. Karim Benzema
After signing for Spanish giants Real Madrid in the summer of 2009, the French forward revealed that he had rejected a move to Manchester [The Guardian]. He could, however, still be on the club’s radar with Louis van Gaal interested in his signature this summer [Daily Mail].
8. James Rodriguez
The Colombian playmaker earned himself a £63m move – the fourth highest transfer fee in history – to the Santiago Bernabeu after stunning supporters at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It later emerged that Man Utd had been offered the chance to sign Rodriguez when he was a teen; however, the English heavyweights were uninterested [The Guardian].
7. Arjen Robben
The Netherlands winger was a target for Louis van Gaal at the start of last season; however, the former Chelsea star revealed that he rejected a move to Old Trafford because of his faith in the Bayern Munich medical team [The Express].
6. Fernando Torres
The ex-Liverpool and Blues striker could have been Manchester United’s No.9 after Sir Alex Ferguson revealed in his autobiography that he was interested in signing the Spaniard when he was 16-years-old. According to Fergie, Torres took advantage of the Red Devils’ interest to seal an improved contract with Atletico Madrid.
5. Ronaldinho
The Barcelona and Brazil legend revealed that he was ‘on the brink’ of sealing a move to the Theatre of Dreams, but his mind was changed at the last minute by incoming Barcelona president Sandro Rosell [The Mirror]. Had it not been for Rosell, the playmaker could have starred in the Premier League.
4. Cesc Fabregas
The Spanish playmaker was chased by the Red Devils prior to his move to Chelsea but, according to the Daily Star, his wife wanted a return to London. With Arsenal rejecting the chance to re-sign their former captain, the Blues claimed his signature with ease.
3. Eden Hazard
The PFA Player of the Year has been outstanding for the Blues since joining in 2012, and was key in helping see that the Premier League trophy returned to Stamford Bridge for the first time in five years last season. What a difference the last three campaigns may have been for the Red Devils had they won the battle for his signature. Blues owner Roman Abramovich was said to have been key in persuading Hazard to reject a transfer to Old Trafford [The Telegraph].
2. Steven Gerrard
The Liverpool legend had trials with the Red Devils as a teenager and Sir Alex Ferguson was desperate to bring the midfielder to Old Trafford; believing Gerrard was the only player capable of replacing Roy Keane [Daily Mail]. The former England skipper, however, remained loyal to his boyhood club, and despite never winning the Premier League with the Reds, the 35-year-old should have few regrets at becoming an Anfield icon.
1. Gareth Bale
Manchester United would surely sit comfortably in the top four if they had the ex-Tottenham Hotspur winger in their XI. The Welsh wizard was a target for David Moyes in his short spell at Old Trafford [Sky Sports], while Louis van Gaal has also been linked with making a bid this summer [Manchester Evening News]. With Premier League experience, Bale would likely settle at the Theatre of Dreams with ease. There is still time for the Wales international to make a move to the Red Devils; however, it would take a huge offer to prize him away from the Santiago Bernabeu.
