Edgar Davids has revealed he was “flabbergasted” by talks with Sir Alex Ferguson about a potential move to Man United.
The year was 1996 and the Dutch legend played for Ajax, where he contributed to an iconic era in the club’s history.
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The young midfielder helped them not only win three Eredivisie titles but also the UEFA Cup in 1992 before playing a key role in winning the Champions League in 1995.
Davids missed the decisive penalty in the 1996 Champions League final defeat to Juventus, leading to a major decision about his future that summer.
With his contract expiring, the then 23-year-old was able to move to a foreign club on a free transfer, which sparked great interest across Europe, including Man United.
Asked if he had the chance to move to Old Trafford, Davids told The Pitch Prospect: “Yes, 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 incredible experiences I’ve ever had – he was funny, he was charming, he was intelligent – everything.”
“I was really amazed!
“It was 1996 – Paul Ince played for Inter Milan and I loved Ince. I watched Man United because I loved him.
Despite the best efforts of the Red Devils and Ferguson himself, Davids opted for a move to Italy to AC Milan, a move that the Dutch star was more than happy with.
He said: “The thing is I wanted to go to Serie A at the time – they were the big boys and I wanted to go there and that was the main thing.”
“That was the only option and when I was older there were some rumors but then there was Keano [Roy Keane] there and me there – it wouldn’t have been a good idea to have us in the same 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 regrets not going to Man United, Davids said: “No, I don’t, but neither does he [Ferguson].
“Sometimes you meet someone and it’s such a special moment that when you see them again you laugh and have the same good feeling. That’s what I got from him.”
Although a move to Old Trafford never materialized, Davids still managed to write his name into the football history books.
This was followed by 18 months at AC Milan due to injuries before he was allowed to leave the club to join rivals Juventus.
In Turin he won three Serie A titles and played 235 games before moving on loan to Barcelona and joining Inter Milan in 2004.
Davids finally 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 a further 18 months at Ajax before a brief spell at Crystal Palace on a pay-as-you-play contract and a surprise move to Barnet, where he worked as player-manager for 15 months.