Former Roma and France defender Philippe Mexes has recalled how close he came to signing for Manchester United.

Mexes hung up the boots in 2016 when with AC Milan.

He told L'Equipe: "When I was about 17 years old, Alex Ferguson wanted me. I was visiting Manchester and I still have a picture of me and Alex Ferguson at my parents' house.

"It was a fantastic team with, among others, Beckham, Schmeichel and the Neville brothers. But I ended up staying in Auxerre. It was then again about to happen later in my career.

"My coach in Auxerre had agreed with them, but I chose to go to Roma."