Table of Contents
- Despite Manchester United being one of the most prestigious club, there are players who, for some reason rejected a move to Old Trafford
- In 2008 Aaron Ramsy ditched United for Arsenal after a deal had been made, and it had appeared that he was on his way to United
- Manchester United’s attractiveness in the transfer market hasn’t diminished despite their struggles
Sportsleo looks back on some famous players who rejected Manchester United. After a difficult 2024/25 season which got worse when United failed to win the UEFA Europa League title late last month, the Red Devils are expected to have a busy transfer window this summer.
Whereas a good number of players are expected to be on the move, the real headache will be signing top players that Ruben Amorim will need before the window closes. The Premier League side has already completed the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves and are likely to go for Bryan Mbuemo in the coming days. The in-form striker who plays for Brentford has already given United the greenlight.
However, it’s not every player who has been open to a move to Manchester United. Here, we take a look at some famous players who rejected Manchester United.
1. RONALDINHO
In 2003 Ronaldinho chose Barcelona over United. Photo: Getty Images
It’s a real pity that Ronaldinho never made the Premier League his playground. It could have happened if the Brazilian wizard had chosen to join United from Paris Saint-Germain in 2003 when Ferguson was interested in signing the exciting player.
Instead, he chose Barcelona, where he established himself as one of the greatest flair players of all time, before moving on to AC Milan and Flamengo at the close of his career.
2. SADIO MANE
Sadio Mane. Photo: Getty Images
Before moving to Liverpool, Louis Van Gaal named Sadio Mane one of his top targets. The Senegal international may have seemed like an ordinary signing at the time, but his growth into one of the finest in the world on Merseyside demonstrates just what United had missed out on.
3. GARETH BALE
Rarely has a player been linked to a club for such a long time without ever completing a deal. Gareth Bale is one of the top players who rejected Manchester United.
When Bale was coming through the ranks at Southampton before moving to Tottenham, United was one of the clubs interested in him. Despite David Moyes’ attempts to recruit Bale to Old Trafford during the Scott’s ill-fated reign, Bale picked Real Madrid in 2013.
A move to United had been discussed in recent years, but it never materialized, and the ship eventually sailed when the legendary Wales winger ended his playing career.
4. TONI KROOS
Toni Kroos. Photo: Sky Sports
Kroos belongs to the elite group of midfielders. United got so close to signing but was unable to complete the transaction. After being sacked in 2014, Moyes stated that the German maestro had almost agreed to join the Red Devils but changed his mind to join Real Madrid instead. The World Cup champion exuded quality until his retirement from professional football.
5. EDEN HAZARD
Few players have the option of playing for Manchester United, Chelsea, or Manchester City, but Hazard had that luxury in 2012.
After outshining at Lille, the flying Belgian was Europe’s hottest property, with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson keeping an eye on him in France. However, Hazard’s decision to go to west London was influenced by Chelsea’s most unexpected Champions League victory.
As it turned out, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as he dominated the Premier League throughout his time at Stamford Bridge. He is one of the players who rejected Manchester United.
6. SERGIO RAMOS
Sergio Ramos. Photo: Marca
United is no stranger to being used as a bargaining chip in contract discussions between superstars and their top teams. Despite Sergio Ramos’ stated intention to leave Real Madrid for Manchester United in 2015, this appeared not to be the case.
Ramos was heavily linked with a spectacular departure from Los Blancos, but he instead chose to devote his future to the club by signing a five-year contract. The optimism killed United supporters since he was an exceptional defender at the pinnacle of his powers.
7. CESC FABREGAS
Cesc Fabrigas. Photo: TEAMtalk
The first and only summer transfer window under David Moyes swiftly devolved into a dark comedy, with Fabregas playing a pivotal role.
Moyes was open about his desire to sign the World Cup champion, only for the Spaniard to remain at Barcelona and fight for his place. Instead, Ferguson’s replacement signed Marouane Fellaini on deadline day for an inflated fee, and Fabregas joined Chelsea a year later. Fabregas went on to win the Premier League title at Stamford Bridge due to that move.
8. ALLAN SHEARER
Shearer preferred Newcastle over Manchester United. Photo: Getty Images
United fans famously still sing ‘cheer up Alan Shearer,’ imagining what it could have been like for the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer if he had moved to Old Trafford during Ferguson’s reign of terror.
Shearer doesn’t seem to have any regrets. Despite a phone call from Ferguson, who was anxious to sign him in the summer of 1996, the Geordie couldn’t resist a move from Blackburn to his boyhood club Newcastle.
9. AARON RAMSY
In 2008, United infamously produced an article on their website claiming that they had agreed on a deal for the Cardiff City wonderkid and that he appeared to be on his way to the club. Ramsey later claimed he felt more wanted in north London after joining Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal. He is among the famous players who rejected Manchester United.
