' Welsh Star explains why he Snubbed Manchester United '

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey explains why he snubbed Manchester United move

Friday 11th November 2016

By Joshua Evans

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has no regrets over signing for the Gunners instead of Manchester United in 2008. The Wales international had the option of joining either of the Premier League giants after making the breakthrough at Cardiff City, but Ramsey has revealed Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was the decisive factor behind his decision.

Ramsey, then 17, helped Cardiff to the FA Cup Final during the 2007-08 season, and although they ultimately lost to Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth, it was clear that the young midfielder was destined for bigger things.

United and Arsenal both reached an agreement with Cardiff to sign the player, but Ramsey – who was a childhood Red Devils fan – headed to North London. At the time, United were the Premier League and European champions, yet Ramsey has no regrets over his choice.

"I had to make a decision at the time," Ramsey told Arsenal's official website. "I flew over to see the boss and I knew straight away that this was where I wanted to be, I wanted to be in his plans and I was just buzzing."

United's failure to sign Ramsey was magnified by the Old Trafford club announcing they had reached an agreement with Cardiff over a fee for the player. A spokesperson for United said at the time: "Manchester United is delighted to announce it has agreed terms with Cardiff City for the transfer of Aaron Ramsey subject to contract terms being agreed and the player passing a medical."

Ramsey has subsequently established himself as a key figure in Wenger's Arsenal side, playing a significant role in their back-to-back FA Cup successes in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

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Not sure if this is true or rumours but the story I hered at the time was that Wenger made a big fuss of him and his parents whist Ferguson didnt even meet him and sent Mike Phelen

I thought we didn't accept UTDs offer because they wanted to pay in instalments where as Arsenal were willing to pay £4.8m upfront

Not sure if this is true or rumours but the story I hered at the time was that Wenger made a big fuss of him and his parents whist Ferguson didnt even meet him and sent Mike Phelen

Your correct RV

Not sure if this is true or rumours but the story I hered at the time was that Wenger made a big fuss of him and his parents whist Ferguson didnt even meet him and sent Mike Phelen

Ramsey completes Arsenal switch

Aaron Ramsey
Ramsey has been hailed as a Wales superstar of the future
Cardiff City teenager Aaron Ramsey has completed his £5m move to Arsenal.
Champions League winners Manchester United and Premier League giants Everton were also in the hunt for the 17-year-old Welsh prodigy.
But Ramsey has signed a long-term deal at Arsenal after they flew him to Switzerland for face-to-face talks with boss Arsene Wenger at Euro 2008.
"He was a big factor in my decision to join Arsenal," said Ramsey. "I'm so happy to have signed for Arsenal."
Known as "Rambo", Ramsey progressed through the youth ranks at Cardiff City.
In April 2007, he became the youngest player to represent the Bluebirds aged 16 years and 124 days when he replaced Paul Parry in a 1-0 home defeat to Hull City.
Since then, Ramsey went on to make a total of 22 appearances for the Welsh side, including a substitute appearance in last season's FA Cup Final against Portsmouth at Wembley Stadium.

AARON RAMSEY
Dave Jones and Aaron Ramsey
Born: December 26, 1990 in Caerphilly
Position: Midfielder
Club: Cardiff City (22 games, 2 goals)
Height: 5ft 10ins
Weight: 12st
Did you know?: Ramsey was an excellent rugby player and played on the wing for Caerphilly
Cardiff striker Steve Thompson on "Rambo": We call him Marge Simpson because his hair is a proper thatch - and his first car is a luminous, lime green Ford Fiesta with a black and white checkerboard roof. If he goes to the Premier League, the car will have to go!
He also became the youngest player to represent his country at Under-21 level in August 2007.
Ramsey spoke to Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson on the telephone as initially Premier League champions United looked favourite to sign him.
Cardiff made no secret of the fact they wanted him to join United to take advantage of the loan-back agreement.
He also met Everton manager David Moyes before being flown out on a private jet to Basel last Saturday to meet with Wenger.
"Arsene talked to me for a long time about the club and the plans for the future, which really excites me," said Ramsey.
"Arsenal is a club which always gives young players an opportunity at the highest level of the game and I am going to work my hardest to be part of future successes here.
"It was a really difficult decision to leave Cardiff City, they are my local club with great supporters and I would just like thank everyone at Cardiff City for their support and help in my early career.
"I will still look out for their results and there will always be a place in my heart for the Bluebirds."
Ramsey caught Arsenal's eye when the young midfielder shone in a goal-scoring display during Cardiff's FA Youth Cup quarter-final defeat to the Gunners in February 2007.
"We're delighted to have signed Aaron Ramsey," said Wenger.

I'm sure arsenal flew Arran and his parents to meet arsene winger I think he was abroad at the time but I'm not sure where pure class by arsenal they always things with a touch of class