Manchester United have spent a fair amount of money on big name signings over the years, with varying degrees of success.
Some proved to be instant hits, such as Robin van Persie, whilst others such as Alexis Sanchez were a complete waste of time.
The Red Devils have had their struggles in recent years, having failed to lift any silverware since 2017. Things could have been very different had other targets been signed over the years, and some were such near misses which will fill United fans with regret.
We’ve remembered nine players that looked really close to joining United but ultimately didn’t. Note: we’ve not included players that United rejected or players that immediately turned United down.
Alan Shearer
The Premier League all-time top scorer spent most of his career at Newcastle after success with Southampton and Blackburn Rovers, but he was very close to joining the Red Devils on two occasions.
Before Blackburn spent £3.6million to bring Shearer to Ewood Park, Sir Alex Ferguson spoke to the striker to convince him to join United, but he turned them down and won the league with Blackburn in 1994-95 instead.
In 1996 United tried to sign Shearer again, but they were again snubbed as he joined his hometown club Newcastle United instead, where despite not winning any trophies, he became a legend.
“Of course I was tempted to join Manchester United, but I do not regret either decision,” he stated in 2006.
“I had a magical time at Blackburn, winning the league. And I completed my own dream of playing for my home town club of Newcastle.”
United signed Eric Cantona instead, the first time around, and gone on to win the lot, neither side can hold too many regrets about this one. Shearer has spoken many times about what it means to him to be his hometown club’s all-time top scorer.
Ever wondered what it’s like to reject Sir Alex Ferguson?
Allow @AlanShearer to explain 😂 pic.twitter.com/ErwTL2yrBJ
— Dream Team (@dreamteamfc) April 9, 2020
Paul Gascoigne
After coming through the ranks at Newcastle and winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 1987-88, Gascoigne decided to leave his boyhood club.
Sir Alex Ferguson, who was at the start of his United career, was one of many admirers and looked to have won the race for his signature.
“We spoke to him the night before I went on holiday,” Ferguson said. “He said, ‘Go and enjoy yourself, Mr Ferguson, I’ll be signing for Manchester United.’
“So I went on my…
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