Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
It’s almost unfathomable to imagine Tony Adams in any other shirt but an Arsenal one, let alone a Manchester United one.
However, according to the man himself, that bizarre image almost became a reality prior to Arsene Wenger arriving at the club in 1996.
Adams himself had already enjoyed success with the Gunners, winning two league titles already and firmly writing his name in the Arsenal history books along the way. But when Bruce Rioch was fired ahead of the 96/97 season, things looked a bit rocky at Arsenal in general.
And according to Adams, he very nearly was tempted into a move to Old Trafford.
Tony Adams reveals how he nearly joined Manchester United
As we know, the 1990s were very much dominated by Man United but if anyone was stopping them, it was Arsenal and the Arsene Wenger era.
Luckily for Arsenal, Wenger came in and was an instant success, working alongside Adams to deliver another two titles before Adams called it a day.
However, Adams has admitted in an interview with 442 that the reality was that United and Ferguson were very much pushing to sign him.
“Fergie had been on the phone saying: ‘Come up here, you haven’t got a manager, you’re all over the place’.
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“I said ‘Look, Peter [Hill-Wood]…I’m gone’.”
“But, my wages got trebled, Arsene came in and the rest is history, I stayed put. I’m so grateful that it happened that way and I didn’t go to pastures new.
“I was able to lift more trophies for the Arsenal, do a couple more doubles and retire as a one-club player. I’m very proud of that.”
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Luckily for Arsenal and Wenger, Adams did indeed stay put and play a huge role in bringing more success to the club. He was very much the rock on which Wenger built his first few teams around and you could easily argue that the Gunners wouldn’t have won without him.
This is very much a sliding doors moment and one which, thankfully, never came off from a United perspective.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
A graphic of Arsenal's squad depth for the 2026/27 season
Credit: TalkingPoints by GRV Media