Martin Edwards and Alan Sugar had agreed a fee – £5.5m, I think. But the gaffer called me into his office and said: “I don’t really want to sell you because if you stay here you’ll play enough football.” That was enough for me. I didn’t want to go; my agent did. He said he had never met a person as stubborn as me. But I was right. I normally am!
Solskjaer has also claimed that he still has the fax, signed by Edwards and Sugar, of the transfer that never was.
You will understand how close I was to leaving Old Trafford when you know there is a fax, signed by Martin Edwards and signed by Alan Sugar, the clubs had agreed a fee and they were just waiting for my signature. I still have it in my possession.
The gaffer called me into his office and said the clubs have agreed but I don’t want you to go. He said I’d be a big part of my squad. He also said the conversation would be between the two of us. If he had said I am sorry to see you go but all the best in your career, then I would have gone. But he wanted me to stay and so I didn’t sign the fax. Hopefully I have paid back the £5.5m that had been agreed with Spurs!
When you walk out of his office and he says you will be part of his squad you walk out ten feet tall. I was as happy as Larry. It is strange to see that fax. The manager deserves the credit for all the success I have had. That was just one example of the kind of manager he is.
