10 Players You Didn't Know Man Utd Almost Signed

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.
Contributor
Contributor

Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.