Legendary goalkeeper Peter Shilton says he almost joined Manchester United on three separate occasions
The former England no.1 Peter Shilton racked up a record 125 caps for his country and played in over 1,000 league games during a marvellous career spanning 30 years.
Although he is able to list the likes of Leicester City, Stoke City, Nottingham Forest and Southampton, among others, on his CV – there has long been talk that he could have joined the Reds and kept goal at Old Trafford.
Peter Shilton, is now 72, confirmed the stories during a chat with United Review, our official matchday programme.
When asked if he nearly signed for United, he replied: “Yes, on three occasions. United wanted to sign me when I was a schoolboy, at 15 years old. But I’d been at Leicester since the age of 10 and I thought it was best if I stayed at home with my parents and remained there.
“I was in the first team when I was 17, so I felt that was the right decision. Around the time I left Stoke in 1977, Tommy Docherty nearly came in for me but, two days later, he got the sack.
“There was also interest when Ron Atkinson was United manager but it was a move that never ended up coming off.”
Shilton faced United many times during his career and feels Denis Law is the best Reds striker he faced. However, he added: “After that, I remember Brian McClair, Dion Dublin and Mark Hughes. All top centre-forwards.”
