John Barnes has recalled how he was nearly signed by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United – but the Liverpool legend says he would never have moved to Old Trafford
John Barnes has claimed Sir Alex Ferguson regrets not signing him for Manchester United, although he admits he wouldn’t have joined the Reds regardless.
The English football icon began his youth career at Stowe Boys Club before moving to Sudbury Court. His talent was soon spotted by Watford, who signed him in 1981, and he went on to score 64 goals in 234 appearances as a left midfielder.
Liverpool took notice and secured his services six years later. During his decade-long stint at Anfield, Barnes made 406 appearances, netted 107 goals, and provided 98 assists, winning two First Division titles in the 1987/88 and 1989/90 seasons. He also lifted the FA Cup twice, claimed three Charity Shields, and won the League Cup.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Barnes had been living in England since he was 12 and represented the England national team 79 times from 1983 to 1995. He later joined Newcastle United in 1997 and ended his playing days at Charlton in 1999.
However, according to an exclusive interview with Ladbrokes, Barnes reflected on the possibility of a move to United, saying: “Was a move to Manchester United ever really close to happening?
“Not at all; you have to remember, this was 1987… Liverpool were the best team in the country – they were one of the best teams in the country. Everton were the second best team in the country, they’d just won the league. Man United weren’t the Man United of 1992/93, where everything started happening for them.
“So, if there was a situation where Liverpool and Man United wanted me – or wanted anybody – you were always going to go to Liverpool… it wasn’t even close. I didn’t really know anything about it; Fergie [Sir Alex Ferguson] said later on that had they not have had Jesper Olsen, it would have been a possibility, to sign me.
“But, unfortunately, had he have come in for me, and had Liverpool have come in for me at the same time… it was just never going to happen. I mean, nobody would’ve done that, at that particular time. That’s not to belittle Manchester United at all, but the decision in 1987… you were always going to go to Liverpool.
“I’ve crossed paths with Fergie over the years, of course, but we’ve never really spoken about it. There’s so many players that he could have signed, and did – or didn’t – sign… I’m no different to hundreds of players who either went to Man United, or didn’t.”
Sir Alex Ferguson, during his illustrious 27-year tenure at United, passed over a host of players who could have easily slotted into the Reds’ squad at their peak. In an astonishing revelation, it has been reported that Ferguson decided against bringing Zinedine Zidane to Old Trafford in 1996, preferring instead to keep faith with Eric Cantona, and also had his eyes on David Silva before Silva’s eventual £24 million switch to cross-town rivals Manchester City in 2010.
Furthermore, even Frank Lampard’s goal-scoring talent was on Ferguson’s radar prior to his move to Chelsea in 2001. Ferguson’s hesitancy also saw Liverpool snap up John Barnes—a fact disclosed by former United chairman Martin Edwards in his autobiography, ‘Red Glory’.
Graham Taylor rang Alex Ferguson to see if he wanted to take him before he signed for Liverpool,” Edwards penned. “Alex passed on him because it was his first season at United, he had Jesper Olsen in his squad and he wanted to see whether Jesper would make it.”
Despite Ferguson’s often triumphant record against Liverpool, it seems the acquisition of Barnes was one instance where Liverpool decidedly outmanoeuvred the veteran manager.
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