Arjen Robben 'would've signed for Manchester United' | OneFootball

Groningen, PSV Eindhoven, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich – Arjen Robben has had quite the career.

But it all could have been so different.

Looking back, the Dutchman told FourFourTwo that he had talks with Sir Alex Ferguson all the way back in 2004, immediately before joining Chelsea.

“I had a very good conversation with [Ferguson] over dinner in Manchester,” said the Dutchman.

“We spoke about football and life. I also went and had a good look around the training ground and everything was good.

“But after I went back to PSV nothing happened. There was no real contact and the deal didn’t happen. PSV were also negotiating with Chelsea at that time, so maybe they offered PSV more money? I don’t really know.

“I spoke to Chelsea and I liked their plans. We had one meeting and everything was done pretty quickly.”

And that was that, Robben joined José Mourinho’s Chelsea.

Three seasons, 19 goals, and two Premier League titles later, he was off to Real Madrid.

Injuries there prevented him from shining but his true potential has been reached at Bayern Munich, where he moved in 2009.

Now a club legend, Robben even scored the Champions League final winning goal five years ago to send Bayern on their way to the only treble in the club’s history.

But it all could have been so different.

“Had Manchester United offered me a deal straight after I met them, I would have signed there, but it didn’t happen and I’ve got no regrets.”