'I could have signed for Man Utd but joined Liverpool instead - there was a clear reason'
A record-breaking Premier League legend rejected the chance to play for Manchester United because of his personal dislike for the club. The player in question began his career at Leeds United and became the second-youngest debutant in England's top flight when he made his professional bow in 2002. He went on to play for Newcastle United and Aston Villa before his career really took off.
The versatile playmaker joined Manchester City in 2010 and remained there for five years, winning two Premier League titles. He signed for Liverpool in 2015 and helped the Reds to achieve domestic and European glory before leaving in 2023. Now aged 40, he plays for Brighton and Hove Albion and recently broke the record for the highest number of total Premier League appearances.
The player in question is of course James Milner, who had the opportunity to sign for United when he was younger but never had any interest in joining them because of his loyalty to Leeds.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: "I did have a chance at one point, but I'd never do it. Never. Never. I don't think my dad would have spoken to me any more if I had signed for United."
Milner's love for Leeds was present from an early age, even before he joined their academy as a youngster, and shaped how he viewed the game during his formative years.
Asked how much he admired Paul Scholes as a player, the veteran midfielder replied: "Not as much as I should have done. If I can take him out of that red shirt, then obviously he was an incredible player."
Milner has enjoyed a highly successful career that most footballers could only dream of, but he has also experienced his fair share of low points.
One of his earliest heartbreaks came in 2004, when his beloved Leeds were relegated from the Premier League just before his move to Newcastle.
"A long time ago, but you wait so long to play for your hometown club, and the year before I made my debut, I think we got to the Champions League semi-final," he told Leeds Live.
"So, then a couple of years later to get relegated... I think any time you lose a final... I've been fortunate enough to win some trophies, but I've lost a fair few finals as well, so that's never nice."
Asked to pick out some of his career highlights, Milner said: "It's hard to do one. I think the first goal at Elland Road, the Chelsea game.
"I think reliving that as a Leeds fan and not being that old and not playing for Leeds that much longer, I'd love to experience that again.
"And I'd probably say it has to be Barcelona I think in the semi-final [for Liverpool in the Champions League]. Obviously, losing heavily in the first leg against a world-class team like Barcelona and we had players missing on the night as well.
"I think to be able to turn that around and win 4-0 was an incredible night and, yeah, I think that was probably the most special evening."
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