10 Players You Didn't Know Man Utd Almost Signed

By Joseph Dempsey / August 29, 2014

9. Michael Essien

Missing out on signing a brilliant player once is bad enough. Missing out on two separate occasions is something else. Former Ghana Player of the Year Michael Essien was an influential member of Chelsea's 2005-06 Premier League winning side but he might have enjoyed that success at Old Trafford had Sir Alex Ferguson not snubbed him twice because of his dainty stature.

Essien explained: €˜I had two trials at United, but I was seen as too small.

'I think Sir Alex was looking for a certain type of player and I wasn€™t the one then.€™

Our loss was Chelsea's gain as the midfielder again went on to win the Premier League in 2009-10, while he was also named the Blues' Player of the Year in 2007.