Sir Alex Ferguson believed he’d got his man - although his man was barely a man at just 17 years old.
Aaron Ramsey, at the time, was one of the most promising teenagers in the world, a midfielder seemingly destined to follow in the footsteps of true greats. It wasn’t much of a surprise then that the Manchester United boss was so keen on the Welshman.
Back in 2008, United were champions, a club on the brink of their third European Cup triumph.
That summer, Ferguson had one eye on the future, adding talented youngsters Anderson and Nani to a squad that was already the strongest in England, maybe even Europe. Ramsey, as he saw it, would be another signing for the long term.
On June 3, 2008, Man Utd issued a statement announcing that a fee for the transfer of the midfielder had been agreed with Cardiff City, but within 10 days he was an Arsenal player, choosing Arsene Wenger’s offer over the Old Trafford club's.
“I flew over to see the boss and I knew straight away that this was where I wanted to be,” Ramsey explained. “I wanted to be in his plans and I was just buzzing. As soon as I came in on the first day I was a bit starstruck with all the faces there, some of the biggest players in world football.”
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