Arsene Wenger turned down the chance to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2001, ex-Red Devils chairman Martin Edwards has said.

Edwards, who served as United chairman from 1980 until 2002, says club officials quickly identified Wenger as their top candidate after Ferguson announced in May 2001 that he would step down as manager the following year.

Ferguson eventually changed his mind and stayed on until 2013 -- but not before Wenger is said to have turned down United's approach.

"Once we realised that [Ferguson] was very serious about it [quitting] and that his mind was made up, there were lots of discussions at board level about a possible replacement," Edwards told GQ magazine.

"Our first choice was Arsene Wenger. [At] the time we all thought he was the best candidate to replace Alex. Certainly he was my No. 1 choice."

Wenger took charge at Arsenal in 1996 and prior to United's approach he had led the club to the Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998.

http://kwese.espn.com/football/arsenal/story/3193920/arsene-wenger-turned-down-manchester-united-in-2001-martin-edwards

It was a blessing in disguise!

Man u would have been playing in league 1 by now.

babaagba1:
Man u would have been playing in league 1 by now.

Na WA for you o...