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Sports News of Tuesday, 26 May 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

REVEALED: Why Ferguson rejected Thiery Henry's transfer

Wenger unveiled Thiery Henry in 1999 Wenger unveiled Thiery Henry in 1999

Former MANCHESTER UNITED head of security Ned Kelly has revealed why Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly rejected the chance to sign Thierry Henry before he joined Arsenal.

The ex-French international joined the Gunners for £11million to re-unite with former manager during his time at Monaco - Arsene Wenger and went on to become one of the best strikers in the Premier League history.

Speaking to Bein Sports, Kelly who also acted as a bodyguard to Ferguson, said that Old Trafford was Henry's "first choice" ahead of the Gunners.

"In the tunnel after the game my phone goes, Eric's [Cantona] older brother Jean-Marie says, 'Ned, tell Alex [Ferguson] that Thierry Henry wants to come to the club.

"Now this was before he went to Arsenal, his first choice was Manchester United. So I go to the boss and say, 'boss, I've just had Jean-Marie Cantona on the phone, he had said Henry wants to come to the club'.

"He [Ferguson] says, 'no way, he's always f****** injured'. He went to Arsenal, the rest is history."

The striker spent eight years with the club and was a part of the club's famous 2003-04 "Invincibles".

He went on to become Arsenal's record goalscorer with 228 in 376 appearances for the North Londoners.

Henry was instrumental in Arsenal reaching their only Champions League final in 2006, scoring winning goals against Real Madrid and Juventus along the way.

He later left for Barcelona in 2007 but re-joined the Gunners in January 2012 on a two-month loan from MLS side New York Red Bulls.

The Sun