West Ham players who’ve gone on to play for Manchester United often do very well for themselves.
Michael Carrick had a brilliant career at Manchester United, while Rio Ferdinand became a true Premier League great at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Carlos Tevez won tons of trophies at Old Trafford too.
Jermain Defoe thought he would sign for United at one point after coming through at West Ham, and he’s not the only Hammers striker who had a close call with a move to Old Trafford.
Indeed, speaking on Tales, Tears and Trophies, Joe Cole has claimed that Paolo Di Canio nearly signed for Manchester United at one point, but he turned the Red Devils down.
Paolo Di Canio rejected Manchester United
According to Cole, Di Canio rejected Manchester United when he was at West Ham.
The striker became a true legend at West Ham, but, at one point, he very nearly joined Alex Ferguson’s side.
“He was a fantastic footballer (Di Canio). He nearly went to Manchester United. He had the opportunity to go to Manchester United and he turned, he turned it down, which is incredible for me, because at the time he was probably one of the best players in the league.
“I used to look at him and I’d be, he couldn’t run. He was slow, but he could, his technique was so good and his timing of the chop.
“I’ve seen him sit people down so many times. Just like the best you’ve ever seen at that, just faking to shoot and then just taking the ball.”
What Alex Ferguson said about Paolo Di Canio
Cole says that Di Canio nearly signed for United, and Alex Ferguson himself has admitted that he would’ve loved to have signed the striker.
Indeed, via The Guardian, Ferguson admitted that he was a huge fan of the West Ham star.
“I was very, very keen on Di Canio,” Ferguson said.
“I think Paolo’s one of the best players in the Premier League.
“I think he would have been a fantastic player to bring in at that time because Diego Forlan was young. He would have added that little bit extra because he’s a fantastic player.
“I wanted that extra player with experience, like Paolo, who would have given us a terrific lift, but it didn’t materialise because I couldn’t sell Dwight Yorke.
“Dwight wouldn’t go to Middlesbrough, which is something I’m sure he regrets now.
“Between him and his agent they asked for a terrible amount of money, which Steve McClaren quite rightly wasn’t prepared to pay.
“That deal floundered and the Paolo Di Canio deal also floundered.”
Di Canio instead stayed at West Ham, and he would ultimately become a real legend for the Hammers.
| Paolo Di Canio stats for West Ham | |
|---|---|
| Games | 139 |
| Goals | 50 |
| Assists | 17 |
United have missed out on some fantastic players over the years. United almost signed Cesc Fabregas and Gareth Bale at one point, and Di Canio is yet another very talented player to have slipped through United’s grasp.
