Xavi’s reason for rejecting Man Utd after contact from Sir Alex Ferguson’s brother

Former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has been linked with taking over from Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, but could have already been a legend at Old Trafford. The midfield maestro turned down approaches from United as a player in favour of staying with the Catalan club.

One of the finest midfielders of his generation, Xavi won four Champions Leagues and eight La Liga titles at Barcelona, while also winning the World Cup and consecutive Euros with Spain. In November 2021, Xavi returned to his boyhood club as manager, guding Barca to the league title in 2023 before leaving his post at the end of last season.

It has been reported that United CEO Omar Berrada has held two sets of talks with Xavi in recent months after emerging as a possible candidate to replace Ten Hag despite the United boss extending his contract in the summer. However, if United did make a move for Xavi, it wouldn’t be the first time the club have shown interest in the Spaniard.

“Manchester United approached me once through Sir Alex Ferguson’s brother, but my answer was very quick,” Xavi recalled to The Times in 2021. “I was focused on Barca, my priority was only Barca. I am a fan from the very inside of myself and that’s why it was impossible for me to leave.

“Now I see it differently. Everyone tells me that the Premier League is wonderful, a great league to work in. First of all, for the passion with how they live the game. How they treat and respect you, the atmosphere and the stadiums.

“So why not? I could see myself [managing] in England, definitely, it’s one of the things I’d like to experience in my career.”

Xavi has previously admitted receiving interest from United at the start of his career and again in 2007. The midfielder was firmly on the radar of Ferguson’s brother Martin, who worked as the club’s chief European scout from 1997 until 2013.

A classic case of what might have been, Xavi’s decision to reject United worked out well for both parties. After being knocked back for a second time, United snapped up Owen Hargreaves and won the Champions League that season. At Barcelona, Xavi was a year away from Pep Guardiola’s transformative reign and twice beat United in Champions League finals.

While Xavi has confessed his desire to work in the Premier League one day, he should not be short of other offers as a La Liga-winning coach. United’s immediate focus is on their Europa League clash with Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce as Ten Hag looks to record consecutive wins and build some momentum after his team’s slow start to the season.