Sir Alex Ferguson managed to convince some of the best players in the world to join Manchester United but was snubbed by football icon Edgar Davids. The Dutch legend had the chance to move to Manchester in 1996 and even met ‘charming’ Fergie ahead of a possible switch to Old Trafford.
![[Edgar Davids of Juventus]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2352688.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=594)
By that point Ferguson had begun to turn United into the best and most successful team in England, lifting his first of 13 Premier League titles in 1993. Davids was one of the biggest stars in football in the 1990s, helping a great Ajax side win three Eredivisie titles and the Champions League.
![[A-League All-Stars v Juventus FC Media Opportunity]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-469997133.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=594)
He also became a firm fans’ favourite as one of the most gifted and recognisable players on the planet, often dominating opponents while donning dreadlocked hair and protective goggles. Ferguson clearly went all out to sign Davids, who described a conversation they had as ‘one of the most unbelievable experiences I had in my whole career’.
But his strong desire to play in Serie A ultimately saw Davids join AC Milan in the summer of 1996. ‘When I left Ajax in 1996 there was a good chance of me going to Manchester United,’ the former Netherlands midfielder told BetMGM. ‘I had a conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson and it was one of the most unbelievable experiences I had in my whole career. He was funny, charming, intelligent – basically everything you wanted.
