Paolo di Canio was repeatedly tapped up by Manchester United during the 2001-02 season, but turned down the chance of a move because of concern for how West Ham fans would respond and because he felt he might spend too much time on the substitutes bench at the then Premiership champions.
Di Canio said: ‘It wasn’t just speculation. We had contact with Manchester United. I was called by somebody saying, ‘We want you to come to us.’
Di Canio appeared to be on his way from Upton Park around the Christmas period, but revealed: ‘I never forced the situation, I just said I was happy to stay with West Ham and told United, "If West Ham want to sell me they have to decide". I was 33-and-a-half and I decided to remain at West Ham. I’m sure if I had decided to go, they would have sold me. But the important thing was it was my decision. If I had gone there (Old Trafford) maybe I’d have played seven full games in one year, maybe 10. And if we had won something, I wouldn’t feel I had.’
