5 players Manchester United hijacked from under their rivals' noses

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Alexis Sanchez has completed a move from Arsenal to Manchester United

#4 Roy Keane

United legend Roy Keane
United legend Roy Keane was close to joining Blackburn instead

Roy Keane will always remain a legend at Old Trafford. The midfielder played 480 times for Manchester United and led them to 7 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cup titles, and a UEFA Champions League title in his 13-year stay.

After a couple of great season with Nottingham Forest, Roy Keane was under the radar of top English clubs. Kenny Dalglish (then Blackburn Manager) agreed a £4 million deal with Nottingham Forest and a personal contract with Keane.

Then came the Old Trafford club. Ferguson gave him a call but the Irishman told United boss he had given his word to Dalglish. Ferguson never gave up and persuaded him to at least visit the club.

Keane, in his autobiography, wrote, “It was a persuasive argument. He was pushing at an open door". Since the contract was not signed with Blackburn, Dalglish could not prevent Keane from joining Manchester United. It was, indeed, one of the greatest hijacks of the 20th century.

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