October 18th 2024.
"I almost ended up playing for Manchester United," former Arsenal legend Martin Keown reveals. Despite spending the majority of his career at Arsenal, Keown admits that he was tempted to join the Red Devils when they showed interest in him. In his new autobiography "On The Edge," he shares the story of how he came close to signing for Sir Alex Ferguson's team.
During his two stints with Arsenal, Keown made 422 appearances and won three Premier League titles and three FA Cups. He was a key player in the team's rivalry with Manchester United for the top prizes in English football. However, things could have turned out very differently if Keown had accepted United's offer.
In his book, Keown recalls meeting Ferguson at Old Trafford, overlooking the pitch from the boardroom. He was impressed by the club's facilities and the talented players on the team. However, he was not entirely convinced by Ferguson's approach. "He seemed very mild-mannered and softly spoken, not the fiery character that I would come to know," Keown writes.
United offered Keown half of what he had been offered elsewhere, claiming that it was the standard salary for their defenders. But Keown was not swayed by the financial aspect. He wanted to feel valued and wanted by the club. So, he asked Ferguson to take him out onto the pitch to show him the love and support he would receive from the fans. Unfortunately, the experience fell short of Keown's expectations.
As Ferguson struggled to open the green doors next to the turnstile, Keown's doubts about joining United started to creep in. There was no grand welcoming or special treatment for him. And when Keown asked for Ferguson's advice as a father figure or a friend, the response he received was not what he wanted to hear. "You've got to think of your family," Ferguson said, not offering the reassurance and enthusiasm Keown was hoping for.
In the end, Keown decided not to join Manchester United and has no regrets about his decision. He remained at Arsenal and continued to have a successful career, solidifying his status as a legend for the club. And while he may have come close to signing for their biggest rivals, Keown's loyalty and love for Arsenal never wavered.
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