Former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit has revealed that he regrets turning down the chance to sign for Manchester United.

The French midfielder met Sir Alex Ferguson on two occasions when he was coming to the end of a one-year stint in Spain with Barcelona in 2001.

However, the 41-year-old ended up returning to the capital with Chelsea.

"I did make a wrong choice," Petit told Goals on Sunday. "I was talking with my wife at that time and she wanted to come back and live in London. When I think about that I think I made a mistake.

"In my heart I wanted to go to Manchester United. I met Sir Alex Ferguson twice at Barcelona and he wanted me to sign for Manchester. I made the wrong decision."

Petit went on to bring an end to his career in 2004.