Post by Rio's Back Pocket on May 20, 2006 16:03:58 GMT
From the BBC:~
Anyone reckon we can get him out of retirement if Ruud goes
Brazil legend Pele has claimed he turned down a move to Manchester United - and a host of Europe's elite clubs.
Pele, who spent the peak years of his career at Santos, revealed United made their approach in 1968, but he was happy to stay in South America.
He told The Guardian: "I even had a proposal from Manchester United.
"I said no to every team that asked me. Real Madrid was the best team who wanted me. They were a very good team but I didn't want to leave Santos."
Pele admitted he could also have joined AC Milan and Juventus, but his revelations appear to have come as a surprise to Manchester United.
Wilf McGuiness, who worked alongside Sir Matt Busby in 1968 before succeeding him as manager, said: "It would have been wonderful if it had happened.
"It's the first I've heard of it as well, but if he (Busby) was speaking to someone as special as Pele, he could be forgiven for keeping it as quiet as possible."
Pele, who spent the peak years of his career at Santos, revealed United made their approach in 1968, but he was happy to stay in South America.
He told The Guardian: "I even had a proposal from Manchester United.
"I said no to every team that asked me. Real Madrid was the best team who wanted me. They were a very good team but I didn't want to leave Santos."
Pele admitted he could also have joined AC Milan and Juventus, but his revelations appear to have come as a surprise to Manchester United.
Wilf McGuiness, who worked alongside Sir Matt Busby in 1968 before succeeding him as manager, said: "It would have been wonderful if it had happened.
"It's the first I've heard of it as well, but if he (Busby) was speaking to someone as special as Pele, he could be forgiven for keeping it as quiet as possible."
Anyone reckon we can get him out of retirement if Ruud goes
