Manchester United has missed out on several notable transfers over the years.
Players like Wesley Sneijder, Thiago Alcantara, Ronaldinho, and Patrick Kluivert have all slipped through their fingers.
Javier Zanetti, who played for Inter Milan for 19 seasons, recently talked about declining an offer from Sir Alex Ferguson. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he shared:
“We met at an airport,” he recalled. “He told me that he wanted me to join Manchester United, and I thanked him.”
“Manchester United is among the top clubs globally, and Ferguson is one of football’s greatest coaches,” he added. “However, I explained that my commitment was to Inter, and I wanted to play there for my entire career. He respected my choice.”
Zanetti remained dedicated to Inter throughout his career, becoming a club legend, mirroring Ferguson’s appreciation for loyalty in his teams.
During his time, Zanetti helped Inter win five consecutive Serie A titles from 2005 to 2010, and the club secured the Champions League trophy in 2010 under José Mourinho, along with the FIFA Club World Cup title.
Mourinho also recognized Zanetti’s contributions. In his all-time best XI of players he coached, he named Zanetti as his right-back:
Zanetti’s Views on José Mourinho
Zanetti holds Mourinho in high regard among the managers he played for throughout his career.
Under Mourinho, Inter achieved a remarkable treble in 2010, showcasing one of the club’s best squads.
When asked about Mourinho, Zanetti described him as one of the finest coaches he worked with.
“We won everything with him, but beyond titles, it was his character, intelligence, and coaching ability. He played a crucial role in my career,” he stated.
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