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Arsenal saw themselves make headlines once again over the course of the weekend, although fortunately it wasn’t down to another poor result, as the Gunners defeated Bournemouth in comfortable fashion.
It has been revealed by former Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards that Arsene Wenger was the Red Devils’ stand-out choice to replace Sir Alex Ferguson 15 years ago when the Scottish manager first suggested he would retire.
Writing in his book, Edwards said:
“He was my number one choice. Wenger did show a little bit of interest, enough to want to meet Peter Kenyon and me at his house in London to listen to what we had to say.”
“For a while we thought there was a possibility of him joining us. But he felt he had started something with Arsenal and that his attachment to the club was too great.”
Wenger himself has now spoken about Manchester United’s approach, stating he remained at the club due to the ‘values’ the North London side has. Quoted by The Independent, Wenger said:
“I love the values of this club and, for me, a club is about values first. You speak about Man United, the evolution in the last 20 years [there is] very interesting. A lot has changed, but when I came here this club was about values that I love in sport.”
“So I always question myself. ‘Yes, of course, Man United is attractive but am I happy here?’ The answer was ‘yes’.” said Wenger.”
Wenger stayed at Arsenal, winning the double that season and lifting the Premier League title again two-years later having gone the entire season undefeated, whilst Ferguson also continued at Manchester United- winning a further six Premier League crowns and the Champions League.
