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Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs in the history of English football, with a rich heritage dating back to 1878. Formerly known as Newton Heath, the club has won a record 20 league titles and became the first English club to win the European Cup (now known as the UEFA Champions League) in 1968.
Old Trafford has been home to some of the biggest names in world football over the years. This includes the likes of George Best, Eric Cantona, Sir Bobby Charlton, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, to name just a few.
However, a handful of notable names have also turned down the opportunity to ply their trades at Old Trafford over the years. On that note, let's take a look at the five players who rejected moves to Manchester United.
#5 Eden Hazard
Before his move to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2012, Eden Hazard received several offers from top clubs, including Manchester United.
During his four-year spell in Lille's senior squad, Hazard built a reputation for being one of the most talented forwards of his generation. The Belgian had the option of choosing between Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea for his first big move. Hazard made the move to London for a €35 million fee and emerged as one of Chelsea's best players in the past decade.
Hazard explained his reasons for choosing the Blues over Manchester United in a later interview. He said:
"When they won the Champions League I told myself, 'Why not Chelsea?' There was a struggle between Chelsea and United but, for me, Chelsea has the best project. It's a wonderful club."
Manchester United signed Shinji Kagawa in that same transfer window. At the unveiling of Kagawa at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson said:
"I see some values on players, like Hazard for instance. To me it was a lot of money. He's a good player, but £34million? We placed a value on Hazard which was well below what they were talking about."
#4 N'Golo Kante
N'Golo Kante has established himself as one of the finest holding midfielders in the modern game and it is no surprise that the Frenchman was top of Manchester United's wish-list in 2016.
Kante played a pivotal role in Leicester City's 2015/16 Premier League campaign, helping the Foxes lift their first top-flight league title. Jose Mourinho attempted to convince the Frenchman to a move to Manchester United following his exploits for Leicester's, but he was unable to do so.
In a 2016 interview, N'Golo Kante revealed:
"It was amazing to have Mourinho call me, even though I'd been warned before how he would appeal to me. I listened to his arguments about why I should move to United."
He continued,
"But at that time I was hesitant between staying at Leicester or leaving for Chelsea. My discussions with them were already well underway. But when I spoke, I had a good feeling with Conte."
In five years at the club, Kante has enjoyed immense success with the Blues, winning the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.
#3 Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos could've been a Manchester United player today had the club not sacked the "chosen" one, David Moyes, before the 2014 summer transfer window.
The midfielder played an integral role in Germany's World Cup glory that year and cemented his status as one of the best in the world in his position. While a host of top clubs were keen on his signature, it was Manchester United who led the way during David Moyes's tenure.
In an interview with GQ Magazine, the four-time Champions League winner revealed details of the failed move to Manchester United. He said:
"I knew before that Manchester wanted me. Moyes underlined that absolutely. It was a really nice afternoon with very nice people. We talked a lot about United's footballing plan, which convinced me. In the end, we agreed to do it. We agreed verbally."
Kroos added:
"I am not somebody who worries about contingencies. Yes, it was close. I almost went to Manchester United. But it did not happen that way."
#2 Sergio Ramos
One of the more open secrets of the transfer market has been Manchester United's desire to sign Sergio Ramos.
The Spaniard was approaching the end of his Real Madrid contract in 2015 and was on the hunt for a new club in the summer transfer window. Manchester United were extremely keen on the defender's signature, but things didn't work out in the Red Devils' favor. Ramos went on to sign a new five-year contract with Los Blancos.
In a press coreference following his contract signing, Ramos said:
"That belongs in the past. It's true there was a chance of signing for Manchester United. We sorted everything out at the time and I am really happy that I have signed my contract to be with Real Madrid, well let's see."
He continued:
"I want to thank Manchester United for that offer, because I consider them a real club."
#1 Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer is arguably the most prominent name in footballing history to have rejected a move to Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United.
Alan Shearer is the record goalscorer in Premier League history with 260 scalps to his name - a record that has stood the test of time. While other players on the list rejected a move to Manchester United once, Shearer reportedly turned down the opportunity to sign for the club on two different occasions.
Former Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards revealed details of the club's failed attempt to sign the Englishman. In an interview with NBC Sports, Edwards said:
"I'd actually done a deal as far as Alan Shearer's contract was concerned; we'd come to a settlement."
He went on:
"Shearer had been to Alex Ferguson's house, spoke to him and assured him he wanted to come. The problem, I think, was with the chairman of Blackburn, Jack Walker, who was not a great fan of Manchester United; (we were) local rivals, both Lancashire clubs."
Edwards said in conclusion:
"He didn't want Alan Shearer to come to Manchester United. Shearer was quite close to Walker, who was like a father figure to him, and I don't think Alan wanted to upset him by coming to United."
This incident took place in 1996, prior to Shearer's move to Newcastle United, where he established himself as a club and Premier League legend. According to reports, the Englishman also rejected a move to Old Trafford during his time at Newcastle.
