SM
Newcastle vs. West Ham: 14 hrs 27 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Paolo Di Canio reveals he turned down Manchester United move

:Headline: Paolo Di Canio reveals he turned down Manchester United move: ID:395846: from db_amp
West Ham United legend Paolo Di Canio reveals that he turned down the opportunity to sign for Manchester United in 2001.

Paolo Di Canio has revealed that he rejected the opportunity to sign for Manchester United during the latter stages of his career.

While Di Canio represented nine different clubs during his playing days, the Italian made the biggest impact at West Ham United, contributing 52 goals from 141 appearances between 1999 and 2003.

However, the controversial forward has acknowledged that he was provided with the chance to sign for United at the end of 2001, only to turn down Sir Alex Ferguson out of loyalty for the Hammers.

Speaking to Sky Sports' Transfer Talk Podcast, Di Canio said: "I thought it was a joke, I thought it was my friend from Italy.

"My stomach went a bit because it makes you think you have underestimated yourself, that you are bigger than what you thought. Man United call you, try to persuade you to move because they want you. For a couple of minutes you feel big and strong.

"It was strange for me to say no to Sir Alex. I said "thanks, 1000 times thanks, but I can't. West Ham are the family that warmed to me in the worst moment in my life, I'm the skipper, I can't."

Di Canio spent a total of eight years in British football, also playing for Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton Athletic.

amp_article__395846 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-04-11 08:51:09:
html db last update - 2020-04-11 08:51:09 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Paolo Di Canio

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .