Defoe reveals Sir Alex Ferguson wanted him at United — but the move never happened

Jermain Defoe has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to sign him for Manchester United on multiple occasions, with former United defender Patrice Evra recently confirming to the striker that the legendary manager had been talking about him as a target — yet a move to Old Trafford never came to fruition.

The 43-year-old, who retired from professional football at Sunderland in 2022, says the failed transfer remains one of his biggest career regrets. Defoe claims interest from United surfaced as early as his time at West Ham, before his 2004 move to Tottenham, and again during his subsequent spell in north London.

“There was always speculation, even when I was at West Ham, about joining Man United,” Defoe said. “I spoke with Patrice Evra recently and he also asked, ‘What happened when you were meant to sign for us? Sir Alex Ferguson was talking about you!’ I don’t know what happened in the end.”

Defoe added that he believes his goal record would have been even more impressive had he made the switch. “If I’d gone to the likes of Man United, who create more chances in a game, then I’d have scored even more goals. But for whatever reason, it just never happened.”

United were not the only major club to miss out on the striker. Defoe says he received two separate approaches from Liverpool, with Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher among those encouraging the move during Kenny Dalglish’s tenure as manager. He also turned down a potential transfer to Juventus, having already committed to rejoining Tottenham under Harry Redknapp in 2009.

“It is frustrating, because whenever I talk to some of the boys that played for these big clubs, they all say that they wanted me to come,” Defoe said.

Throughout his career, Defoe scored 162 Premier League goals — a tally that places him among the division’s all-time leading scorers — the vast majority of which came at West Ham, Tottenham, and Sunderland rather than at any of English football’s traditional heavyweights. His candid reflection underlines how fine the margins can be between a celebrated career and a truly decorated one.