A tale of lovers both scorned. Both Manchester United and Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien were hurt badly by each other in this story of rejection, with the latter having been turned away from Old Trafford as a youngster for being 'too small' and the former later turned down several years later by the combative midfielder in favour of a move to Chelsea. By 2005, Sir Alex Ferguson wasn't worrying about his size anymore, as he had established himself as 'The Bison' in the Lyon midfield, earning himself a reputation as one of the brightest box-to-box midfielders in European football. One of the hottest prospects, United were locked in a battle with several of Europe's elite, including Juventus, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, as Ferguson pinpointed the 22 year old Ghanaian as captain Roy Keane's long-term successor.
''I like Manchester. I know most of their players and like them and would like to play in the Premier League one day. I like Old Trafford because it is one of the nicest stadiums in Europe and, foremost, I like the coach Sir Alex Ferguson very much. I'll be happy to play for Manchester United but, at the moment I am in Lyon and I have to concentrate on that.'' - Michael Essien, March 2005.
In the end, Chelsea tied up a deal for the Lyon midfielder for £26 midfielder, leaving Sir Alex with the unenviable Plan B of moulding Alan Smith into a defensive midfielder.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
