Former England striker Gary Lineker has admitted that he had “two opportunities” to sign for Manchester United and rejected the opportunity to play under Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Match of the Day presenter enjoyed a prolific playing career, both for club and country, even ranking second for the coveted Ballon d’Or award in 1986.
Lineker, who recently spoke highly of one United star, played for both Leicester City and Everton before he completed his high-profile move to Barcelona in 1986.
The 62-year-old, who was capped 80 times for his country, represented England on the biggest stage and captured the Golden Boot at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
Despite playing for the likes of Tottenham, Barcelona and Leicester, Lineker said that United came knocking for him and a move to Old Trafford could have happened.
Lineker on Ferguson and United
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker candidly spoke about the opportunity that he had to attend United legend Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral.
When asked by a listener which English club that he wished he had played for, the ex-England star revealed that United would have been his pick.
However, Lineker also made the admission that former United manager Ron Atkinson had approached him first before Ferguson tried for a second time.
“I was up in Manchester for Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral, which was a lovely send-off for the great man,” he said.
“There were so many greats there, players from yesteryear of Manchester United. That is the one club.
“I kind of had two opportunities to join them. Once when Ron Atkinson was manager but I went to Everton instead — you have to remember that Manchester United were not as dominant in those days.
“The second time was when I went to Spurs and Sir Alex [Ferguson] was in charge of United, but it was still a good three or four years before he started to have any success.
“It made me think about it yesterday, and they also gave me a lovely send-off, which I spoke about before in my last ever game in English football. I’d perhaps say Manchester United.”
Alan Shearer’s reaction to Lineker’s United admission
Joining Lineker on the podcast episode were Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, with the latter hilariously reacting to the Match of the Day host’s admission.
Premier League legend Shearer, much like Lineker, had two opportunities to sign for United in his glittering playing career.
However, the 53-year-old ex-England striker turned down Ferguson when he opted to sign for Blackburn Rovers in 1992 and when he later moved to Newcastle in 1996.
Responding to Lineker, Shearer said: “You turned Sir Alex down? You f*****g idiot. What idiot does that?”
Richards burst into laughter at Shearer’s reaction before Lineker poked fun at the Newcastle legend’s decision to reject an Old Trafford move, too.
“I can’t think of anyone, Alan,” Lineker said, before laughing.
“You thought you were the first!”
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