Manchester United have been involved in their fair share of controversial transfer stories and chases but one of them has gone under the radar over the years and that’s the curious case of Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel.
Mikel made a name for himself at Chelsea, representing the London club for 11 years before eventually leaving in 2017.
Prior to his 2006 move from Norwegian club Lyn, it was believed that he was all set to join Manchester United instead but a last-minute change, with Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich spearheading a hijack, meant that he ended up with the Blues.
Speaking now, nearly 20 years after the turbulent transfer saga, Mikel has opened up on the situation and revealed exactly how things unfolded.
“He (Mikel’s agent) took me to Norway and that was where I was and I played the first game for the club and that was when United came back with a contract and Ferguson flew to Norway as well to see me and I felt, you know what, I am gonna sign for United, why not?” Mikel told FIVE, via AllNigeriaSoccer.
” I did sign a pre-contract for United but it wasn’t a professional contract, you have to be 18, coming from Africa, you have to be 18 before you will be able to sign a professional contract, so I wasn’t 18 then, so I signed a pre-contract.
“Chelsea saw the image, picture, the press conference and Roman was like ‘I am not having this’ so he sent my agent, people to Norway”.
Mikel enjoyed a trophy-laden career with Chelsea, winning the Premier League multiple times and the Champions League in 2012.
He was nicknamed ‘the human full-time whistle’ after Jose Mourinho made him his go-to substitute when his side were looking to see a game out.
The vision might have been for Mikel to lead United’s midfield but the Reds would have been happy with Michael Carrick, who joined the Old Trafford club the same year Mikel joined Chelsea.
