Players that United may have signed but didn’t
- Thread starter golden_blunder
- Start date
Gaitan & Sneijder.
I always think back to Ronaldinho... I mean we ended up with Cristiano after missing out on him so it worked out very well in the end... but it would've been magical to see Ronaldinho light up Old Trafford, even if only for a few seasons
Ronaldinho and Gazza.
Celio Silva -1997-98
Easier to say what players we haven't been linked to, according to the newspapers.
Arjen Robben. The board wouldn't buy 2 £12m teenagers! Imagine Ronaldo and Robben
Did you know that the plan was to sign Neville southall and only when that didn’t work out, we went and signed Peter Schmeichel
We were priced out of buying Kerry Dixon as mark Hughes replacement when he went to Barcelona. Chelsea wanted 2m for Dixon.
Arturo Vidal. I reckon Chilevision gathered the most number of views during that period ever since their existence because of United fans and muppets
Sneijder and Vidal were probably the most annoying transfer sagas
Di Canio - 2002
Batistuta and Kluivert seemed so close, yet so far.
Was only ever properly disappointed by missing out on Lucas, Thiago & Hazard.
David Hirst, we got a rather decent alternative though.
Great shout, from what I recall he decided to stay at West Ham as he felt he owed them for revitalising his career.
Shearer. He would have been amazing. He could have won stuff with us but he chose not to win anything. I admire his commitment to being 2nd.
Joao Palhina, its ridiculous we didnt snap him up when he was available so cheaply last summer
In more recent memory, Haaland.
Going back a long time wilf mcguinness wanted a centre half expected either Bobby moore Mike England or Colin Todd all would have probably joined ended up with Ian Ure Tommy doc had lined up Peter Shilton and Tony currie but was sacked big Ron thought he was going to get Gary lineker and Terry butcher ended up with Terry Gibson seems to be a recurring theme
Ronaldinho is my ultimate one
I was still in school, had seen him in the World Cup and thought he was incredible. Couldn't believe it when we bid for him. Had loads of United supporting mates and we thought he was coming so we had kick abouts and pretended to be him. Teletext 10+ times per day to see if he'd signed yet. Gutted when it broke down. And then had to see him be the best player in the World for a few years.
Loved Hirst. Had it all til injury got him. The power in those shots.
remember we were also linked to Brian Deane and Stan Collymore (what a player he was at Southend and Forest)
What are you, 2?
Luka Modric
We tried to sign del piero when juventus got relegated, but he was flattered and was tempted to work with sir alex but wanted to remain there.
Think he's spoken about it since retiring.
Gutting as I absolutely loved him.
Think he's spoken about it since retiring.
Gutting as I absolutely loved him.
We might as well give Gaitan a testimonial when he retires.
Kroos and LvG vetoed it? Do I have it right?
I remember also SAF attempting to sign Shearer.
I remember also SAF attempting to sign Shearer.
Pretty sure we nearly had Essien as a teenager but couldn’t get a work-permit.
Shearer. I wish that happened just as much as Ronaldinho.
I miss when I used to get excited by transfers
I miss when I used to get excited by transfers
We had Thiago Alcantara lined up but Moyes refused it.
We had Toni Kroos lined up but Van Gaal refused it.
This topic infuriates me to no end!
We had Toni Kroos lined up but Van Gaal refused it.
This topic infuriates me to no end!
Don't remember if he actually vetoed it or if things just stalled until Real hijacked things, but it was definitely the case that Moyes had him lined up and then it didn't happen when LvG took over.
Paul Gascoigne famously gave SAF his word he was going to sign for us. Can't believe he shafted us, he seems like such a trustworthy bloke.
Similarly, Aaron Ramsey was so close that it was even announced on the club website, was it not?
Similarly, Aaron Ramsey was so close that it was even announced on the club website, was it not?
Think Gazza said Spurs chucked in a house or a car for his dad and that's what swung it.
Yeah. Well, it was announced that we had a deal with Cardiff. Unfortunately, we weren't the only ones!
I think Fergie wanted Darren Anderton in the summer of 95' after Kanchelskis left. Spurs said no.
In the summer of 1996 we were in for Markus Babbel - who wanted too much money - and Brian Laudrup when he was playing for Rangers.
We were interested in Marcelo Salas, who ended up at Lazio. Fergie had a lot of interest in Miguel Nadal, but that didn't happen. There was an interest in Ariel Ortega during 1997/98, but I think Valencia wanted a high loan fee so that fell through.
In the summer of 1996 we were in for Markus Babbel - who wanted too much money - and Brian Laudrup when he was playing for Rangers.
We were interested in Marcelo Salas, who ended up at Lazio. Fergie had a lot of interest in Miguel Nadal, but that didn't happen. There was an interest in Ariel Ortega during 1997/98, but I think Valencia wanted a high loan fee so that fell through.
Bizarrely one of the ones i was desperate for us to sign was Dembele from Fulham! He dominated the midfield against us in a game, we were crying out for a midfielder with some legs at the time and he ended up at Spurs, made absolutely no sense to me as it was really good value (from memory!), its weird how it sticks in my mind as its very unglamorous!
Them were the days, some fantastic names in this post!
My two favourite goalies. Southall was fantastic.
Fergie tried to get Tony Adams. Twice.
Fergie tried to get Tony Adams. Twice.