An Arsenal legend claimed he nearly joined rivals Manchester United before snubbing them for Chelsea.
Emmanuel Petit formed a formidable partnership with compatriot Patrick Vieira at the heart of the Gunners midfield, with the ponytailed Frenchman winning the league and cup double in 1998.
He decided to leave north London in favour of Barcelona in 2000, which he recently stated was a move to appease his wife. The 46-year-old endured a dismal season-long spell in Spain before seeking a move back to the Premier League, where United’s legendary manager Ferguson was keen to sign him.
But Petit stunningly rejected the English champions and his former club in favour of Chelsea, who were far from the giants they later became.
“Sir Alex Ferguson called me twice, Arsène called me as well,” Petit told SFR. “Claudio Ranieri actually came to see me and ate with me at my house. I was charmed by him, what he had to say, and that’s why I wanted to sign for Chelsea.
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“Remember, at the time, there was Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Teddy Sheringham, David Beckham. They had an incredible team. Jaap Stam at centre-back. Peter Schmeichel in goal.”
Petit left Arsenal two years after winning the double (Offside via Getty Images)
Sir Alex Ferguson called the midfielder up twice as he looked to escape Barcelona (PA)Petit’s £7.5million move was followed by a mixed two-and-a-half seasons in west London before he eventually hung up his boots. It remains unclear what kind of backlash he would have faced if he had joined Arsenal ’s bitter enemies United, though the World Cup winner still has regrets about not choosing Old Trafford over Stamford Bridge.
He told FourFourTwo: "I should have gone to Manchester United, because Sir Alex Ferguson called me twice. We had a very good conversation and it was tempting, but once again I listened to my wife.
Petit [R] regrets rejecting Man Utd in favour of Chelsea (Getty Images)
His ex-wife Agathe De La Fontaine [R] was behind both failed moves (JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)"She wanted to go back to London – she didn't want to live in Manchester – so I made the same mistake twice in one year."
Petit had married French actress Agathe de la Fontaine in 2000. The pair divorced in 2002 after having a child together.
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