Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has revealed he held secret talks with Sir Alex Ferguson about a stunning move to Manchester United while he was still a key player at Highbury. The former captain said he could not refuse a meeting with the iconic United boss, who envisioned pairing him with his great midfield rival Roy Keane.
"I had the opportunity to move to Real Madrid a couple of times and I even had an opportunity to move to Manchester United," Vieira said. He added, "I had a meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson."
The proposed transfer was a serious prospect in the summer of 2003, when Vieira had one year left on his Arsenal contract. Ferguson's plan was to build a midfield around Vieira and Keane, with Ryan Giggs and David Beckham on the wings and Paul Scholes supporting Ruud van Nistelrooy. Despite the allure, Vieira's loyalty to Arsenal proved stronger. He felt too happy in north London, where the club was building what would become the legendary 'Invincibles' side. The love from the club, his teammates, and the supporters made staying an easy decision. Arsenal's then vice-chairman David Dein publicly shut down the speculation, telling reporters that Vieira was not for sale and that no inquiry from United had been received.
Vieira's choice to stay was vindicated immediately. He captained Arsenal to the Premier League title in the 2003-04 season, going the entire campaign unbeaten to secure his third league crown with the club. He eventually left for Juventus in 2005, but his legacy as the leader of the Invincibles was cemented. His fiery rivalry with Roy Keane reached its peak in a famous tunnel confrontation at Highbury in February 2005. Vieira admitted he started the incident by warning Gary Neville over his treatment of Robert Pires. Keane reacted explosively, accusing Vieira of picking on the 'weakest link'. The pair have since forged a mutual respect and now work together as television pundits.
The current Arsenal side, sitting second in the Premier League with 12 points from five games, will look to channel the spirit of Vieira's era. They face a tough test next against fifth-placed Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on October 10. The team's form reads four wins and one defeat from their last five matches, a solid platform as they aim to close the three-point gap to leaders Manchester City. The story of Vieira's loyalty remains a powerful reminder of the commitment that defines the club's greatest periods. The modern squad, will need that same resilience as they prepare for a key run of fixtures, starting with the Leeds match. Their current position in the standings shows they are well placed, but maintaining focus will be key.
More detail at Daily Mail Sport
