Bayern Munich Dribbling Wizard Opens Up: Why I Joined Chelsea Not Man Utd

Bayern Munich dribbling wizard Arjen Robben has revealed that he was close to joining Manchester United in 2003 when the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson was coaching the club.

In an interview with FourFourTwo magazine, the former Netherlands international says he held talks with Ferguson, who assured him that he was counting on him to join the Red Devils.

Robben switched to Chelsea in the summer of 2004 as PSV Eindhoven did not receive any concrete offers from United for the services of the winger.

''I had a very good conversation with him (Ferguson) over dinner in Manchester and we spoke about football and life,'' Robben said.

''I also went and had a good look around the training ground and everything was good, but after I went back to PSV nothing happened.

"There was no real contact and the deal didn't happen.''

The Bayern Munich number ten added : ''PSV were also negotiating with Chelsea at that time, so maybe they offered PSV more money? I don't really know.

''I spoke to Chelsea and I liked their plans.We had one meeting and everything was done pretty quickly.

''Had Manchester United offered me a deal straight after I met them, I would have signed there, but it didn't happen and I have got no regrets."

Arjen Robben won two consecutive Premier League titles with Chelsea before joining Real Madrid on a five-year deal in August 2007.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com