Former Chelsea star Eden Hazard has revealed that he spoke with legendary ex-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson before rejecting a move to Old Trafford.
Eden Hazard was widely hailed for his impact in the Premier League and became a cult figure at Stamford Bridge after his prolific spell at Chelsea.
Chelsea completed their acquisition of Hazard from French side Lille in 2012, with the Premier League club paying a reported £32m fee at the time.
Manchester United were linked with the 33-year-old Belgian before Chelsea’s swoop for Hazard and Sir Alex Ferguson was believed to be interested in signing him.
Hazard lifted two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup and two Europa Leagues with Chelsea during his seven seasons at Stamford Bridge.
The former Chelsea ace left the club in 2019 and completed a blockbuster move to Real Madrid, with an initial fee of £89m agreed for the transfer of Hazard.
However, Hazard endured an ill-fated spell at Los Blancos and the ex-Belgium international’s run at Madrid was curtailed due to injuries.
Hazard on Man Utd and Ferguson
Eden Hazard’s scintillating Chelsea form was a distant memory during his playing days at Madrid, with the ex-Blues star struggling with injuries at the Spanish club.
The former Belgium winger’s contract with the La Liga side was terminated at the end of last season and Hazard called it time on his professional career last October.
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Hazard revealed that he had chatted with Sir Alex Ferguson amid Manchester United’s interest when he was at Lille.
“I had a chat with Sir Alex Ferguson [then-Man United boss],” he said.
“I spoke with Harry Redknapp, at that time he was the manager in Tottenham. I went to Manchester to see the Man City training ground.
“So, I had a few options, but not Chelsea because the last year in Lille, Chelsea in the league was not that good.
“You know when you [John Obi Mikel] won the Champions League, in the league you were like sixth or seventh, I don’t remember.
“I knew I was leaving France to go to the Premier League but not Chelsea because I wanted to play in the Champions League, you know?
“So that move came because you won the Champions League.”
Ferguson on not signing Hazard
Ferguson’s failed efforts to sign Hazard later led to the iconic 82-year-old Scotsman, who retired in 2013, signing Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund in 2012.
The United legend pulled no punches over the asking fee required to sign Hazard from Lille, with Ferguson unconvinced he was worth £34m at the time.
“There is a borderline in terms of what you would think is a good signing for United,” Ferguson said after Kagawa’s unveiling at United.
“I see some values on players, like Hazard for instance. To me, it was a lot of money. He’s a good player, but £34million?”
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