Footballing icon reveals he nearly joined Man United - as he details Sir Alex Ferguson talks and explains why he didn't make the move

A footballing legend has revealed that he was in talks with Manchester United and manager Sir Alex Ferguson over a possible move to Old Trafford in 1996.

Edgar Davids played for the likes of AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Tottenham and Ajax.

The midfielder, who is well remembered for both his play and his protective glasses, was a part of the Ajax team that won the Champions League in 1995 and went on to join AC Milan the following year.

However, he has revealed that things could have been different with United having been seriously interested in securing his services. 

Davids revealed he was tempted by the move, having idolised Red Devils midfielder Paul Ince at the time.

'I mean it's really, how you say, that I look differently at United,' he said in an interview with MUTV.

'Because, you know, I already watched Manchester United as they had a player I really liked - Paul Ince.

'He was a midfielder who was unbelievable. I also played against him, when he played for Inter and I played for Milan.

'He was a big boy then and it was a really amazing derby. Him against Marcel Desailly, who was a big boy too, and that was like a big battle in the midfield.

'I got to talk to Sir Alex and it was one of the most incredible talks I ever had,' he disclosed.

'But I had already made my mind up to go somewhere else [Milan].

'Yes, it was in 1996, when I was with Ajax, but it was just the way he [Ferguson] was. His personality and everything. It was a whole different level.

'I played against amazing players [at United], who started doing amazing things. When you play against certain teams, you then also follow the careers of these young players.

'But no regrets. I only considered Italy for me because Italy was the place I wanted to be. The best players were playing in Italy at the time, like it is now in the Premier League.'