Edgar Davids has revealed he was left ‘flabbergasted’ by talks with Sir Alex Ferguson when discussing a potential move to Man United.
The year was 1996 and the Dutch legend was playing for Ajax where he contributed to an iconic era in the club’s history.
As well as helping them to three Eredivisie titles, the young midfielder helped them to UEFA Cup glory in 1992, before playing a key role in winning the Champions League in 1995.
Davids missed the decisive spot-kick in the 1996 Champions League final defeat to Juventus, leading to a big decision over his future that summer.
With his contract expiring, the then-23-year-old was able to leave on a free transfer to a non-domestic club, leading to a clamour of interest from around Europe – including Man United.
Asked if he had the chance to move to Old Trafford, Davids told talkSPORT: “Yeah, when I left Ajax I was out of contract and could have gone to Man United.
“I had a conversation with Sir Alex and it was one of the most unbelievable experiences I’ve had – he was funny, he was charming, he was intelligent – everything.
“I was really flabbergasted!
“That was in 1996 – Paul Ince was playing for Inter Milan and I used to love Ince. I used to watch Man United because I loved him.”
Despite the best efforts of the Red Devils and Ferguson himself, Davids opted to move to Italy with AC Milan, a move the Dutch star was more than happy with.
He said: “The thing is that back in the day I wanted to go to Serie A – they were the big boys and I wanted to go there and that was the main thing.
“That was the only option and then there was some rumours when I was older but then there was Keano [Roy Keane] there and me there – that would not have been a good idea to have us in a dressing room!”
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Edgar Davids’ past clubs
1991-1996 – Ajax
1996 – 1998 – AC Milan
1998 – 2004 – Juventus
2004 – Barcelona (Loan)
2004 – 2005 – Inter Milan
2005 – 2007 – Tottenham
2007 – 2009 – Ajax
2010 – Crystal Palace
2012 – 2014 – Barnet
Asked if he regretted not going to Man United, Davids said: “No I did not, but neither did he [Ferguson].
“Sometimes you meet someone and it’s such a special moment that when you see each other again you laugh and you have the same good feeling. That’s what I got from him.”
While a move to Old Trafford never happens, Davids still managed to write himself in the football history books.
An injury-hit 18 months with AC Milan followed, before he was allowed to leave to join rivals Juventus.
It was in Turin where he won three Serie A titles and made 235 appearances before heading on loan to Barcelona and then joining Inter Milan in 2004.
Davids eventually got the chance to play in the Premier League when he moved to Tottenham in 2006, where he made 44 appearances in his 18 months at the club.
He then spent another 18 months with Ajax, before a brief spell with Crystal Palace on a pay-as-you-play deal and a surprising move to Barnet, where he worked as a player-manager for 15 months.
