VICTOR WANYAMA REVEALS HE WAS CLOSE TO SIGNING FOR MANCHESTER UNITED

Kenyan footballer Victor Wanyama has opened up about the one that got away revealing that he came agonisingly close to signing for Premier League giants Manchester United under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.

In a candid interview on the In Conversation With Chaxy podcast, the Harambee Stars captain disclosed that Ferguson personally scouted him during his time at Celtic, and the two even held talks about a potential move to Old Trafford. The transfer, however, collapsed following Ferguson’s retirement just months later.

“When I left Celtic I was going to sign with Manchester United,” Wanyama revealed. “Ferguson even came to watch my games for Champions League. That day was pressure. I was even told Ferguson was there for me. We talked after the game.“

But just as momentum was building toward a dream move to Manchester, fate intervened. “He left the next season. I heard he was retiring,” Wanyama said. “I was like, it was not meant to be. There is no stories of friendship when playing.”

Ferguson’s retirement in May 2013 brought an end to an era at Manchester United and, it seems, brought an end to Wanyama’s hopes of donning the famous red jersey. 

The proposed deal never materialised under new management. Wanyama eventually joined Southampton in July 2013 for a reported fee of £12.5 million, becoming the first Kenyan to play in the Premier League.