Wenger discusses rejecting Man Utd for ‘the love of my life’
Arsene Wenger has spoken about meeting Martin Edwards to discuss the prospect of taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
The Red Devils battled with Arsenal for the major honours in English football, with Wenger and Ferguson regularly clashing, but the two men are now friends.
Former Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards revealed in his 2017 autobiography that he held talks with Wenger over replacing Ferguson at Old Trafford when the Scot originally announced he would retire in 2002.
Ferguson changed his mind and would stay for another 11 years while Wenger, at the time of Edwards’ book launch, said Arsenal’s “values” meant he would not have taken the job anyway.
He added to those comments when asked ahead of his final trip to Old Trafford if he regretted never managing United: “No, because Arsenal is the love of my life,” he said.
“I turned many clubs down to stay here and face the challenge when we built the stadium. I don’t regret that because I see my life and what is important to me.
“Yes, I speak to everybody. Yes, I met Martin Edwards but many people came to see me in my home. But I was loyal to this club.”
