“There was a chance I could have been wearing the red of
United instead of the red of Arsenal. It didn’t happen but
maybe that is just as well for the Gunners fans and me — I
love it here. I had talks with Alex Ferguson when I was
leaving Aston Villa.
“My contract was up and I went for a chat at Old Trafford
but I just had the feeling that although I was available,
deep down he didn’t really want me. I’ve never had any
regrets on that. If I made the right decision back then, it
is still right now. That’s my attitude. I just had the vibes
that as a young, available central defender ready to talk,
they didn’t want to sign me.”