Football legend Ronaldinho has confirmed that he was just 48 hours away from linking up with Manchester United back in 2003, the Daily Express reports.
However, the 35-year-old instead opted to join Barcelona after promising Sandro Rosell that he would join them if he became club president.
After rejecting United, the Brazilian megastar spent five years in Catalonia, winning two league titles and the Champions League.
And the former PSG and Milan star has insisted that he does not regret turning down Sir Alex Ferguson and admits that he had another chance to move to England in 2011 after holding talks with Blackburn.
He is now a free agent after leaving his club in Mexico and explains in an interview with FourFourTwo just how close he came to plying his trade in the Premier League.
“It almost happened with United,” he said.
“It was a matter of 48 hours, but Sandro Rosell had told me way before I got the offer: ‘If I become Barca president, will you come?’ I said yes.
“It was a quick negotiation. I told the English I had chosen Barca. It was the right choice. Brazilians have always loved Barca.”
Ronaldinho added: “About Blackburn – we talked to them, but I wanted to come back home to Brazil.”
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