Tottenham idol Darren Anderton has revealed how he rejected a move to Manchester United.
In his new book, 'TakeNote! The Darren Anderton autobiography', being serialised in The Sun, Anderton wrote: "It was while playing for England during the Umbro Cup after the end of the 1994-95 season that I found out Alex Ferguson wanted to sign me.
"I had just scored my best goal for England in the 3-3 draw with Sweden and was relaxing over a few beers with the players afterwards. I was in the middle of a game of snooker with Gary Pallister when he told me: 'I think Fergie thinks a lot of you, he might want you.'
"I didn't know what to think. I just replied: 'Really?'
"By the time we played Brazil three days later, it was clear there had been a bit of interest in me from Manchester United.
"And, of course, there was a clause in my Spurs contract that said I could go if another team offered a certain amount for me.
"My agent, Leon Angel, was at Wembley for the Brazil game and when I saw him afterwards he said: 'We've got a meeting tonight with the chairman, Alan Sugar. He wants to offer you a new deal.'
"We turned up at Sugar's mansion in Chigwell and Gerry Francis, the Spurs manager, was there.
"Gerry was desperate for me to stay as he'd just lost Jurgen Klinsmann and Gica Popescu while Nicky Barmby was thought to be homesick.
"I told them I wanted to stay and it was decided Spurs would offer me a deal when I got back from holiday in the United States. By that point it seemed obvious United were going to come in for me and I'd guessed Alan Sugar wanted me to sign a contract with that escape clause.
"I spoke to Leon on the phone several times. There was talk of United, Blackburn and Newcastle all wanting to buy me. Champions Blackburn wanted me to fly back and sign for them but I decided that if I was to move on it could only be to United.
"Fergie had already come out in the Press saying I was the only player he wanted to sign that summer. The day I got back from America, Gary Pallister called and asked: 'Is it all right to give the manager your number? He wants to speak to you.'
"I said: 'Um... I guess so' and went off to play golf.
"When I got home my brother Scott said Alex Ferguson had called and told me: 'I s*** myself when I heard Fergie's voice. I didn't know what to say.' About an hour later, Ferguson called again and explained he had a problem with Andrei Kanchelskis, who wanted to move on.
"He'd heard there was a 'buy-out' clause in my contract and asked me what the figure was. I didn't want to say, but told him the prices being quoted in the papers should give him an idea.
"The Press was saying around £6million, which was actually £2m more than the actual clause, and it was obvious United were prepared to offer well above what was needed. My head was spinning when I came off the phone. I didn't know what to do but the following day I had a meeting arranged with Spurs.
"When Leon and I arrived at Alan Sugar's house, I went and had a chat with Gerry Francis. He obviously knew the situation and, possibly, that United had made an offer that day.
"He said the chairman would give me a dream deal. He also spoke of how I'd be playing as a winger if I went to United while he wanted to build his Tottenham team around me in central midfield.
"He pointed out United were in transition. I admitted I didn't want to leave but having a world-famous club like United interested was enough to turn anyone's head.
"But I knew I wanted to stay."
