Manchester United decided not to make a deal permanent for one of the best strikers of his generation who went on to become a Liverpool and England legend - much to Sir Alex Ferguson's annoyance
14:00, 19 Jan 2026Updated 14:01, 19 Jan 2026
Peter Beardsley has since played for Manchester United in legends matches
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Peter Beardsley has since played for Manchester United in legends matches(Image: PA)
Manchester United made an almighty blunder when they chose not to sign a genius striker who went on to win two league titles with their biggest rivals.
The Red Devils had the chance to snap up Peter Beardsley when he was a rising star. But after playing just one game for the club, they let him slip through their fingers and go on to become a Newcastle, Liverpool and England legend - described by Three Lions goal machine Gary Lineker as "the best strike partner I could ever have".
Beardsley, who turned 65 on Sunday (January 18), came through at Carlisle United, before moving to Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada, where he caught the eye of the then-United manager, Ron Atkinson. He signed the Hexham-born talent on what was virtually an extended trial that could be made permanent, for just £500,000.
Manchester United stars Ray Wilkins and Peter Beardsley during Beardsley's short stay at Old Trafford
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Manchester United stars Ray Wilkins and Peter Beardsley during Beardsley's short stay at Old Trafford(Image: Getty Images)
"Like most players chasing a dream, I jumped at the chance of a move to Manchester United," Beardsley would recall. "The dream did not become a nightmare exactly but it would hardly be correct to say my time as a player under manager Ron Atkinson was sweet."
Beardsley never forced his way into big Ron's plans, despite saying he got on well with the Old Trafford boss. "I appreciated Ron's predicament.
"It was difficult trying to cram a pint of talent into a gill pot. He had an embarrassment of riches. But at long last he did give me the opening I was hoping for.
Peter Beardsley joined Manchester United from Vancouver Whitecaps back in 1982
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Peter Beardsley joined Manchester United from Vancouver Whitecaps back in 1982(Image: Getty Images)
"He might just have been persuaded by the hat-trick I scored for the reserves on the Saturday before United were due to play Bournemouth in the home leg of a League Cup tie.”
Beardsley admitted he "did not play well" but felt hurt when he was withdrawn for Norman Whiteside with 12 minutes to go. "I was hurt about not being allowed to finish the game. 12 minutes is a long time in football and who was to say I wouldn't have scored? I didn't see the need to exchange a striker for a striker.
"Ron knew I was upset and angry. His assistant Mick Brown tried to cheer me up, telling me there would be other days, but I knew deep down that my United dream was over."
Peter Beardsley was Gary Lineker's favourite strike partner for England
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Peter Beardsley was Gary Lineker's favourite strike partner for England(Image: Getty)
Atkinson broke the news to the striker that United wouldn't make his transfer permanent and explained his decision process.
"He was kind enough to explain the situation fully to me... that he did not feel inclined to pay £500,000 when he already had what he believed were ample playing resources at the club. I understood his point of view.
"But I still think I deserved more than one unfinished game in a United first-team shirt. In spite of the way things turned out, I will always be glad of the time I had at Manchester United."
Manchester United turned down the chance to sign Peter Beardsley and he helped win two league titles for their bitter rivals Liverpool
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Manchester United turned down the chance to sign Peter Beardsley and he helped win two league titles for their bitter rivals Liverpool(Image: Mirror Digital)
Beardsley went on to have a hugely successful career away from Old Trafford. He joined then Second Division outfit Newcastle United, where he helped them win promotion to the First Division with 20 goals alongside Kevin Keegan, before netting 17 goals the following year in the top flight, having also starred for England in the 1986 World Cup.
He would later make a record £1.9m move to Liverpool, where he won two league titles and an FA Cup as a creator supreme alongside John Barnes, John Aldridge and later Ian Rush, before departing for Merseyside rivals Everton.
The perfect foil for Gary Lineker at international level including in the 1990 World Cup, he later became the same for Andy Cole back at Newcastle, assisting many of the future United star's 34 goals in the 1993-94 Premier League season, while bagging 21 of his own.
Peter Beardsley and Andy Cole only spent one season together but scored a combined 55 goals for Newcastle
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Peter Beardsley and Andy Cole only spent one season together but scored a combined 55 goals for Newcastle(Image: GETTY )
Atkinson never admitted his decision to allow Beardsley to leave was wrong, insisting that United's next upcoming academy star hastened the exit of the man who won 59 caps for the Three Lions.
Atkinson said: "Incidentally, Mark Hughes was the biggest reason why Beardsley didn't join Manchester United because we had Peter from Vancouver and we had to make a decision.
"He was going to cost us £500,000. I said to the reserve coach, what do you think? And he said we have a kid in the reserves who I think is better and he's for nothing - and that was Hughes."
However, Sir Alex Ferguson seemingly thought otherwise, as he desperately tried to sign Beardsley from Newcastle when he took over at Old Trafford, only to have his overtures rejected by then Toon boss Willie McFaul.
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And months later, Sir Kenny Dalglish completed a record £1.9million transfer to bring the brilliant forward to Liverpool.