David Seaman turned down Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United to sign for Arsenal in 1990
Then a Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper, 'safe hands' was wanted by two of England's biggest clubs
When David Seaman was leaving Queens Park Rangers in 1990, the goalkeeper had a tough choice to make. Did he want to play for Arsenal or Manchester United.
In the end he happily turned down to Fergie to remain in London where he formed one of the most formidable back lines English football has ever seen.
Now a co-presenter on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast on talkSPORT, the 54-year-old told the podcast about the bizarre day he discovered both clubs were vying for his signature.
“It was weird,” he explained. “That same morning I’d spoken to a certain Alex Ferguson, who said that he wanted me to go to Man United, and then Arsenal came in for me in the afternoon.
“I went [to Arsenal] for talks and it all fell through, so then I had to back to QPR – we’d already had an agreement with Arsenal that I was going to sign – so I went to the World Cup [in Italy] as the no.3 goalkeeper, but broke my thumb in training.”
That was it, he thought. Arsenal would definitely not be interested now.
“I came back from the hospital and Doc Crane, who used to be the Arsenal doctor and was also the England doctor says: ‘we’ve just got to go on a little detour, we’ve got to go and see David Dein and George Graham’.”
Seaman's Arsenal honours
Premier League x2
First Division x1
FA Cup x4
League Cup x1
Cup Winners Cup x1
The player couldn’t believe it and made a swift recovery to be ready for the start of the 1990/91 season where he was an instant hit.
Arsenal lifted their second league title in three years, losing just once – to Chelsea – en route to the First Division crown. Only a Paul Gascoigne-inspired Tottenham prevented them from doing the league and cup double.
Seaman, meanwhile, kept 29 clean sheets in 50 matches that season, and conceded just 18 league goals.
It was an eventful campaign, which saw Tony Adams jailed for drink-driving and the club docked two points for their part in a 21-man brawl during a win against United.
In Manchester, Fergie had to be content with signing Peter Schmeichel a year later.
Listen to David Seaman on talkSPORT every Wednesday from 10am here.