Patrick Vieira reveals Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United transfer approach
Patrick Vieira has disclosed that Manchester United once explored signing him, with Sir Alex Ferguson outlining a midfield role alongside Roy Keane in a side containing Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The former France international ultimately remained at Arsenal, where he felt settled and believed the club were building towards a major period of success. Vieira spent nine years in north London after arriving in 1996.
Quick facts
- Vieira joined Arsenal in 1996 and won three Premier League titles.
- He captained Arsenal’s unbeaten 2003-04 title-winning team.
- Manchester United and Real Madrid were among the clubs to present opportunities during his Arsenal career.
- Vieira left Arsenal in 2005 before playing for Juventus, Inter Milan and Manchester City.
- The 50-year-old is now Senegal head coach.
Vieira said he met Ferguson out of respect for the Manchester United manager’s standing in English football. Ferguson detailed his plans for a team in which Vieira would have partnered Keane, with Giggs on the left, Beckham on the right and Scholes operating behind Van Nistelrooy.
“It was not a bad team,” Vieira said of the proposed United line-up. But the Arsenal captain did not see a reason to leave a club where he had the backing of team-mates, supporters and the wider organisation.
He also revealed that Real Madrid approached him on more than one occasion. Interest from leading clubs followed his strong performances, but Vieira believed Arsenal offered the right environment to continue his development and pursue his ambitions.
His decision kept him at the centre of Arsenal’s most successful modern era. Alongside the three league crowns, Vieira led the 2003-04 side that completed the Premier League season without defeat.
Vieira departed Arsenal in 2005, going on to play in Italy with Juventus and Inter Milan before ending his playing career at Manchester City.
He later moved into coaching, taking charge of New York City, Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg and Genoa. Vieira is currently in charge of Senegal.
