9 Reasons Why Alan Shearer Chose Newcastle Over Manchester United

7. Man United Had Failed To Call Shearer Back Four Years Previously When He Was Looking To Leave Southampton... So The Striker Had Already Rejected The Red Devils Before

When a 21-year-old Shearer was looking to leave Southampton in 1992, Newcastle United were not one of the front-runners for his signature. Instead, it was a straight race between Blackburn Rovers and, of course, Manchester United. Just this month, Shearer revealed that his £3.6 million move to Rovers was almost scuppered by the Red Devils at the last moment. Shearer had already spoken with Blackburn boss Kenny Dalglish and had promised to respond within a couple of days when the Red Devils called. Although Shearer told Man United he would be interested to hold talks, the Red Devils never called back - and so Shearer moved to Blackburn. Speaking about his 1992 move, Shearer said:

"After talks (with Dalglish) I went back home and had a call from someone at Manchester United. "They were interested, they wanted to sign me. I said: 'I've promised Kenny I'd give him an answer within two or three days, I intend to do that. I would love to have talks with you.' "I never had a phonecall back from Manchester United - so it was never an option."

Man United missed their chance four years previously, so in 1996 it is not a surprise that the England forward opted for his boyhood team ahead of a club who never called him back.