‘Man Utd had chance to sign me but I chose Liverpool - this is why it wasn’t even close'

John Barnes was offered to Manchester United before he made the move to Liverpool in 1987, with Sir Alex Ferguson turning down the opportunity to sign the England icon

‘Man Utd had chance to sign me but I chose Liverpool – this is why it wasn’t even close'

Liverpool legend John Barnes has opened up about a regret Sir Alex Ferguson may harbour over not snapping him up for Manchester United.

A talent revered across England, Barnes' early days were shaped at Stowe Boys Club before he kicked off an illustrious senior career at Sudbury Court. It wasn't long before Watford recognised his prowess in 1981, with Barnes dazzling as a left midfielder, boasting 64 goals in 234 outings which eventually caught the attention of Liverpool.

In 1987, the Reds couldn't resist the promising star and Barnes graced Anfield's pitch for 10 years, clocking up 406 appearances, netting 107 times and contributing 98 assists - all while scooping two First Division titles and a slew of domestic silverware including the FA Cup, three Charity Shields and a Football League Cup.

Despite his Jamaican birthplace, Barnes had been a UK resident from age 12 and ultimately donned the Three Lions jersey in 79 international clashes between 1983 and 1995. Post-Liverpool, his stint at Newcastle United in 1997 led him to his final professional bow at Charlton in 1999.

But according to Barnes - speaking exclusively with Ladbrokes, Liverpool FC's official betting partner - there might've been a chapter at United. He explained: "Was a move to Manchester United ever really close to happening?

"Not at all; you have to remember, this was 1987... Liverpool were the best team in the country - they were one of the best teams in the country. Everton were the second best team in the country, they'd just won the league. Man United weren't the Man United of 1992/93, where everything started happening for them.

"So, if there was a situation where Liverpool and Man United wanted me - or wanted anybody - you were always going to go to Liverpool... it wasn't even close. I didn't really know anything about it; Fergie said later on that had they not have had Jesper Olsen, it would have been a possibility, to sign me.

Image: Mirrorpix) Mirrorpix)

"But, unfortunately, had he have come in for me, and had Liverpool have come in for me at the same time... it was just never going to happen. I mean, nobody would've done that, at that particular time. That's not to belittle Manchester United at all, but the decision in 1987... you were always going to go to Liverpool.

"I've crossed paths with Fergie over the years, of course, but we've never really spoken about it. There's so many players that he could have signed, and did - or didn't - sign... I'm no different to hundreds of players who either went to Man United, or didn't."

Ferguson, during his legendary 27-year tenure at Old Trafford, made some bold transfer decisions, reportedly overlooking stars like Zinedine Zidane in '96 to stick with Eric Cantona and missing out on David Silva, who joined rivals City for £24million in 2010. The iconic manager also recognised Frank Lampard's potential before his switch to Chelsea in 2001.

In his autobiography 'Red Glory', former United chairman Martin Edwards touched on the situation surrounding Barnes. He wrote: "Graham Taylor rang Alex Ferguson to see if he wanted to take him before he signed for Liverpool. Alex passed on him because it was his first season at United, he had Jesper Olsen in his squad and he wanted to see whether Jesper would make it."

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