3 Players Who Almost Signed For Manchester United, But Ended Up Playing Elsewhere Including Former Newcatle Legend

United have been a club with a rich history and trophy cabinet which boasts of glory and pride. But there have been times when United’s transfer theories have failed miserably and things have just gone astray for them. The following transfer season has been a glaring example for United as Roberto Firmino, Nathaniel Clyne, Nicolas Otamendi and Pedro snubbed the Old Trafford switch in favor of United’s bitter rivals. We take a look at the players who could have worn the United jersey.

James Rodriguez:

The Rodriguez to United saga is funny to say the least. Manchester United scouted James Rodriguez during his days at Banfield. The Madrid superstar was available for a meagre cost of £5million. United neglected that offer and rather went on to sign flops Bebe and Javier Hernandez. While Bebe made a move from Vitoria for a fee of £7.4m, Guadalajara received a fee of around 8 million euros for the services of Chicharito.

If this wasn’t enough, United again had a chance to sign James and a fee of almost 40 million euros was demanded by James’ then club FC Porto. However, due to third party ownership issues, United refrained from buying the Colombian international and Rodriguez ended up signing for French moneybags AS Monaco. After an amazing World Cup of 2014, James left for Real Madrid and donned the much coveted no.10 jersey for the Los Blancos. Cynical stuff for Manchester United.

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Ronaldinho:

Ronaldinho had an amazing start of his career at his boyhood club Gremio. A little less known fact, Dinho made his move to PSG in 2001 where he scored 17 goals in 55 matches. The attacker’s performance for the French side earned him a place in Brazil’s world cup winning performance in 2002. However, in the season 0f 2003/04 he made a move to FC Barcelona and snubbed Manchester United. Saying his performances are amazing would be an understatement and the Brazilian magician has almost won every trophy possible. Major, major loss for United as they lost a Ballon D’Or winner.

Speaking to FourFourTwo, the former FIFA World Player of the Year explained how his deal to Old Trafford was just 48 hours away from being finalised before the Catalan giants swooped in and convinced him to join them instead.

He said: “It almost happened with United.

“It was a matter of 48 hours, but Sandro Rosell had told me way before I got the offer: ‘If i become Barca president, will you come?’ I said yes.

“It was only a matter of details with United when Rosell called to say he was going to win the elections there. And I had promised to him that I’d play for Barca. It was a quick negotiation. I told the English I had chosen Barca.

“It was the right choice. Brazilians have always loved Barca. We have a history there. Off the pitch it is like nowhere else in Europe, so we are always happy playing there.”

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Alan Shearer:

Sir Alex Ferguson desperately tried to sign Alan Shearer after four amazing seasons with Blackburn Rovers where he scored a whopping 112 goals in 138 matches. However, Alan Shearer was determined to join the club he supported as a child and he signed for Newcastle United on 30^th of July, 1996. The English forward carved a niche for himself and made the No.9 jersey at Newcastle legendary. In an interview Alan Shearer said

“If it wasn’t for my love of Newcastle then I would’ve had to sign for Sir Alex. I was that close I’d actually found a house in Manchester”.

The forward ended his career in 2006 and became the highest goal scorer of the Premier League with 260 goals.

Honorable Mentions:

Arjen Robben

Toni Kroos

Cesc Fabregas

Paul Gascoigne

Aaron Ramsey

Fernando Torres

Thiago