Premier League hero reveals he snubbed Man United to join Chelsea: They called me twice

EMMANUEL PETIT has revealed he turned down the chance to join Manchester United.

By Jamie Styles

Petit originally arrived in England in 1997 to be reunited with his former Monaco manager Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.

He enjoyed three successful years in north London, winning a domestic double in his first season with the club and forming a formidable midfield partnership with Partick Vieira in the process.

The former France international then went on to join Barcelona, where he spent just one season before returning to the Premier League with Chelsea.

And, speaking to SFR Sport, Petit has revealed he rejected the advances of both United and Arsenal before deciding to join the Blues, who were managed by Claudio Ranieri at the time.

He said: “That’s when Sir Alex Ferguson called me, twice, Arsène called me as well.

"Claudio Ranieri actually came to see me, and ate with me at my house. I was charmed by him, what he had to say, and that’s why I wanted to sign for Chelsea.

 

            

   

“Remember, at the time, there was Giggs, Scholes, Roy Keane, Teddy Sheringham, Beckham… They had an incredible team. Stam at centre-back. Schmeichel in goal.”

Petit spent three mixed years in west London before announcing his retirement from football in 2005 due to a knee injury.