I idolized Paul Ince but turned down Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United for my dream Serie A transfer
Edgar Davids has revealed he was “blown away” by talks with Sir Alex Ferguson when discussing a possible move to Man United.
The year was 1996 and the Dutch legend was playing for Ajax, where he contributed to an iconic era in the club's history.
As well as helping them to three Eredivisie titles, the young midfielder helped them to UEFA Cup glory in 1992, before playing a key role in winning the Champions League in 1995.
Davids missed the decisive penalty in the 1996 Champions League final defeat to Juventuswhich led him to make a big decision about his future that summer.
Upon expiry of his contract, the then 23-year-old was able to leave on a free transfer to a foreign club, sparking a clamor of interest across Europe, including united man.
Asked if he had the chance to move to Old Trafford, Davids told talkSPORT: “Yes, when I left Ajax I was out of contract and I could have gone to Man United.
“I had a conversation with Sir Alex and it was one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had: he was funny, charming, intelligent, everything.
“I was really shocked!
“That was in 1996 – Pablo Ince was playing for Inter Milan and I loved Ince. “I used to watch Man United because I loved it.”
Despite the best efforts of the Red Devils and Ferguson himself, Davids opted to move to Italy with AC Milan, a move the Dutch star was more than happy with.
He said: “The thing is that back then I wanted to go to Serie A, they were the big guys and I wanted to go there and that was the main thing.
“That was the only option and then there were some rumors when I was older, but then there was Keano (Roy Keane) there and I there. “It wouldn’t have been a good idea to have us in a locker room!”
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Edgar Davids' previous clubs
1991-1996 – Ajax
1996 – 1998 – AC Milan
1998 – 2004 – Juventus
2004 – Barcelona (Loan)
2004 – 2005 – Inter Milan
2005 – 2007 – Tottenham
2007 – 2009 – Ajax
2010 – Crystal Palace
2012 – 2014 – Barnett
Asked if he regretted not going to Man United, Davids said: “No, I didn't, but he (Ferguson) didn't either.
“Sometimes you meet someone and it's such a special moment that when you see each other again you laugh and have the same good feeling. “That’s what I got from him.”
Although he never moved to Old Trafford, Davids managed to write himself into the football history books.
An injury-plagued 18 months with AC Milan followed, before he was allowed to leave to join rivals Juventus.
It was in Turin where he won three Serie A titles and played 235 games before leaving on loan to Barcelona and then joined Inter Milan in 2004.
Davids finally got the chance to play in the Premier League when he moved to Tottenham in 2006, where he made 44 appearances in his 18 months at the club.
He then spent another 18 months with Ajax, before a brief spell with Crystal Palace with a pay-per-play contract and a surprise move to Barnet, where he worked as player-coach for 15 months.
