I spoke to Arsenal, Chelsea wanted me, but I signed for Manchester United after my boss invited me on holiday.

A Premier League title winner was convinced to snub Arsenal and Chelsea because of the manager's “aura”.

The retired defender has revealed that he chose manchester united instead, after a “nervous” meeting with the Red Devils boss.

Phil Jones He spent 12 years at Old Trafford after Sir Alex Ferguson convinced him to sign from Blackburn in 2011.

The youngster was just 19 at the time, having progressed through Rovers' academy and making 40 first-team appearances.

After his debut at the age of 17, Jones was already being sought after by a host of Premier League clubs.

He had also already established himself as an England under-21 international.

Recalling his departure from Ewood Park, Jones told the High Performance Podcast: “I knew my time at Blackburn was coming to an end and I knew there were a lot of clubs sniffing around.

“Obviously I signed for Man United, but there were Chelsea and Arsenal.

“I met with Arsene Wenger, I met with David Moyes, I met with City, some of the City representatives, Harry Redknapp called me.

“I was lucky, I had a lot of clubs. I could have chosen anyone.”

Despite interest in the teenager, Jones admits United made him wait before approaching.

He added: “I met with all these people and then the only club that didn't call me or talk to me was Man United.

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“I'm in Dubai with my wife, this was before we had kids, and an unknown number calls me.

“I never answer unknown numbers, that's something I've changed now because now, when you connect to the network, you answer all the calls.

“Then it rings again and my wife says 'you're going to have to answer'. So I answered half asleep in bed, it must have been eight in the morning. A voice appears and says 'Phil, this is Sir Alex.'

“I literally shot out of bed, my wife said 'what's going on' and then he just basically said something like 'we'd love to have you at the club, I loved seeing you, I know everything.' about you and I would love for you to come to Nice to see me and chat with me.'

“So that was it, I hung up the phone and flew back. He was on vacation at the time, they had just been beaten, it was the season they were beaten by Barcelona in the Champions League, 3-1, they were absolutely defeated. United that game too.

“So I went out to meet him with my agent, David Gill, and I got on a private plane, which, again for me, being on a private plane, I'm 18 and I'm going out to see Sir Alex on a private plane. .

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“I met him at his house in Nice and I remember being so nervous, I've never felt nervous like that. “My agent went upstairs with David Gill and I was sitting there having a conversation with Sir Alex like this and I was absolutely blocking everything out.

“He didn't ask me for half an hour, 40 minutes, he didn't ask me a single question about football.

“It was 'how's your family, how's your mom, how's your dad, what were your grades in school?' I was like 'is he going to ask me about football?'

Jones even admitted that he could still have joined the Gunners after his meeting with Ferguson.

However, it was a final comment from the legendary coach that convinced him to sign for the Red Devils.

The former England international continued: “It made me feel very relaxed and it really wasn't as intimidating as I thought it would be now I've met other coaches and it's been quite intimidating.”

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“Obviously I'm just a little kid, but he made me feel very relaxed. Although I'm still a little nervous.

“So he asked me all these questions about my grades and my scores and all these other things and then my agent came.

“Then he started talking a little bit about football, 'I saw you in this game and I love your passion' and then at the end I remember the last thing he said to me and it still gives me chills, he looked into my eyes and said 'Phil, are you a winning son?' and I said 'yes'.

“In my head I'm thinking 'where do I sign? Where do I sign?' And I met Arsenal literally three hours later in London.

“I was flying to London to meet Arsene Wenger and I remember walking out and saying to my agent: 'I don't want to go, I'm done, I've made my decision.'

“It was just his aura, his presence, the way he carried himself, the way he explained and sold me the club like no other.”

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Jones made 229 appearances for United, including 65 for Ferguson.

He also won six trophies, including the Premier League and the Europa League.

The 32-year-old left Old Trafford last summer. announcing his retirement in March of this year.

During his career, Jones also earned 27 caps for England and played for the Three Lions in two World Cups.