I Have No Regrets About Not Joining Manchester United – Sir Alex Ferguson Advised Me to Prioritize Family and Consider Higher Wages from Everton

Sir Alex Ferguson once missed the opportunity to sign an England international while he was the manager of Manchester United, after advising his transfer target to accept the more lucrative offers from other clubs.

Having recently ensured Aston Villa‘s stay in the First Division during their first season back in the top tier, Martin Keown sought assurances regarding both his future and that of the club at the conclusion of the 1988/99 season. However, Villa was unable to provide those assurances and he opted to join Everton, despite Sir Alex Ferguson’s advances from Manchester United.

At that time, the Red Devils weren’t quite the dominant force they were about to become under the Scotsman, but they were still among the largest clubs in the nation, seeking to take their next steps under Ferguson’s guidance.

Sir Alex Ferguson failed to sign Martin Keown at Manchester United

The Manchester United manager took Keown on a tour of Old Trafford but ultimately realized that the wages offered were insufficient. At just 23 years of age, Ferguson suggested that Keown may be better off accepting the more substantial offer from Everton.

“I couldn’t agree a new deal with Villa; I was getting married and needed to sort out my future,” Keown exclusively tells eScored. “Graham [Taylor] wasn’t communicating with me about his plans to bring in new players, so I was talking to other clubs.

“Everton was one, but Fergie had me at Old Trafford and Brian Clough was in touch with me at Nottingham Forest. Fergie gave me a tour, but he offered me half of what Everton did. It wasn’t just about money – I had numerous questions and didn’t receive the answers I needed.

“To be fair, he was aware that I was getting married and suggested I consider my family and take the larger wages at Goodison Park. I have no regrets about not choosing United, but those discussions further fueled the rivalry with Arsenal later, especially when United became our primary rivals.”

Indeed, Keown infamously struck Ruud van Nistelrooy on the back of the head after the Dutchman failed to convert a penalty during a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford, preserving Arsenal’s unbeaten run that season. Though this incident occurred nearly 14 years after Ferguson’s attempt to sign him, Keown’s statement emphasizes how fiercely he wanted to win against Manchester United.