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Chelsea icon reveals incredible meeting with Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson after ditching Red Devils for Chelsea
Super Eagles icon John Mikel Obi recalled encountering Manchester United’s legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson after he ditched the Red Devils to join rivals Chelsea.
Mikel’s transfer saga
After starring for the Flying Eagles at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he claimed the silver ball behind Lionel Messi, Mikel was one of the hottest prospects in world football and ended up in the middle of a transfer saga involving Manchester United and Chelsea.
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Manchester United believed that they had tied up a deal for Mikel, and the young midfielder attended an unveiling ceremony, but made a dramatic turnaround, claiming that he had been forced to sign for the Red Devils when he intended to join Chelsea instead.
After arbitration meetings, Manchester United allowed Chelsea to sign the Nigerian, but Mikel said it was a move that understandably upset Ferguson.
Mikel recalls meeting Ferguson after ditching Manchester United
Speaking on the Debrief Podcast, Mikel recalled his first meeting with the legendary Manchester United gaffer, saying, “I saw him one time. It was Manchester United against Chelsea. I was coming out of the dressing room, and as I was coming out of the door at the corner, he was coming out, and I just s*** myself.”
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“I can't remember what happened, I think I tripped up on the stairs. He looked at me, and he just walked out. He started chewing his gum and just walked out. He didn't say a word. 'It was a death stare.”
Despite the initial animosity, Mikel also revealed that Ferguson eventually forgave him for the perceived betrayal, saying, “I met him a few times after that and we started talking about it, and he forgot about it and forgave me.”
Mikel would surely have been elated with the decision to join Chelsea after winning 11 titles during his Blues’ career, including the 2012 UEFA Champions League, two Premier League trophies, and four FA Cups.
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