Manchester United is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most popular teams of all time in football history. The Red Devils boast of the biggest fan base in England and arguably the world. Old Trafford has seen its fair share of sporting icons who continue to attract football fans from around the world.
Several current players in rival teams had also been charmed by the club’s tradition and history and were Manchester United supporters in their younger years. However, these professional footballers never got the chance to don the famed Manchester United jersey and instead signed for rival teams.
Sportskeeda brings to you 5 boyhood Manchester United fans who went on to play for their rivals
#5 Joe Allen
“I’m a boyhood United fan and I can’t wait to go there and pit my wits against players like (Ryan) Giggs and Paul Scholes. Giggs was always someone I looked out for because he was a Welshman and a fantastic player. But, from my own football point of view, I looked up to Roy Keane and Scholes, who was my hero as a kid. When Scholes retired at the end of last season I was disappointed because I thought I would never get the chance to be on the same pitch and line up alongside him” – Joe Allen
Probably the only player on this list Manchester United wouldn’t have regretted not buying, Joe Allen was a highly sought after player who fizzled out after his stint with Liverpool. The Welshman first came into the limelight because of his pinpoint passing which drew comparisons with former Barcelona legend, Xavi.
(Video Courtesy: Newton Heath YouTube Channel)
The player followed his then Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers and joined Liverpool in a move that was expected to turn the fortunes of the player and the club. However, it never worked out and Allen quickly became the target of jokes and ridicule due to his average performances.
The Welshman then made a move to Stoke City where he has been performing much better in a more advanced role. Allen also performed brilliantly for Wales in the 2016 Euro’s and was one of their key players during their run.
#4 John Stones
The Barnsley lad is a boyhood Manchester United fan but made the move to the blue side of Manchester much to the dismay of several Manchester United fans who would have loved to see him don the jersey of the Red Devils.
Stones first came into prominence after putting in great performances for Everton back when the club was managed by David Moyes. The young British defender soon became a media darling and several top clubs were interested in signing him.
Jose Mourinho’s arrival at Manchester United signalled a defensive revolution and according to several media sources, Stones was on the club’s radar.
Club legend Rio Ferdinand publicly came out and said, “If he goes to Man United, he plays every week so that’s the right club for him. I’d buy John Stones if I’m Man United. You’re buying someone who’s going to give you 10 years’ service. He’s a great prospect, the best young centre-half in the country at the moment. It’s a no-brainer for me.”
However, Pep Guardiola led Manchester City got him aboard for a whopping transfer fee £47.5 million, which made him the most expensive British defender in football history. Stones hasn’t had a great time at City till now but the talented player should come back stronger especially under a manager like Guardiola.
#3 Aaron Ramsey
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey had been a Manchester United fan as a youngster and was extremely close to making a move to Manchester United. Unlike many of the names in this list, Arsenal swooped in for the talented Welsh midfielder when he 17 and the player made the move from Cardiff City. Ramsey is one player who rejected Manchester United and he had his reasons for the same.
“I supported Manchester United as a youngster but once I had spoken to Arsene, the way he described the Arsenal set-up and their plans for the future impressed me. I just had a gut instinct that the right move for me would be joining Arsenal.”
Ramsey was also impressed about how Arsene Wenger treating him and his family which persuaded him to pick the Gunners over Manchester United.
#2 Raheem Sterling
“I need to keep that quiet! But when you start playing for a team, you immediately start supporting them because you want to do your best for your team and you always want them to do well.” - Sterling on him being a Manchester United fan.
The Englishman has played for not one but two major arch rivals of the Red Devils. Sterling first became famous after some wonderful performances as a teenager for Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers.
Manchester City went all in for Sterling and signed him for a mammoth figure of £49m. The player had a slow start to life at Manchester but has now started to make his mark after the arrival of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
His story may have been a lot different had he joined Manchester United from the QPR youth academy.
#1 John Terry
“I was Man United growing up. You know what it’s like when you’re a boy, you want to support the team that’s winning everything. And my dad and granddad were Man United fans.”
Easily the best player in this list, Chelsea legend John Terry is regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation. The Englishman has forever been a rock at the back for his club and has put in fine performances throughout his long tenure at the London club.
There is no doubt that Manchester United’s dominance would have been greater had John Terry been a part of their already decorated team that destroyed oppositions under Sir Alex Ferguson.
In fact, United did try to sign Terry as a kid. During his school days, Terry often met with Sir Alex personally and also trained with Manchester. However, nothing panned out and Terry instead moved to the Blues.
