Sir Alex Ferguson met with Wesley Sneijder's agent after Inter Milan lifted the Champions League in 2010 - but the Dutch midfielder wouldn't find out until years down the line
13:32, 20 Nov 2025Updated 13:36, 20 Nov 2025
Sir Alex Ferguson
View 3 Images
Sir Alex Ferguson came close to signing Wesley Sneijder in 2010
It wasn't too crazy to claim Wesley Sneijder was one of the best footballers on the planet back in 2010. After completing the treble as part of Jose Mourinho's legendary Inter Milan side, he would almost end the Netherlands' decades of hurt at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after a number of sparkling performances.
Sneijder was the jewel in the Dutch crown as the Netherlands dazzled against Brazil en route to the final against Spain - where they fell short after Andres Iniesta's late winner. And Sneijder, who had previously turned out for Real Madrid, was suddenly at the top of every major club's shopping list - including Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United.
“I think it was the season after we won the Champions League at Inter. Man Utd wanted to sign me," Sneijder admitted to AdventureGamers.
Wesley Sneijder
View 3 Images
Wesley Sneijder was on top of the World in 2010(Image: Getty Images)
However, the Dutchman was none the wiser about the approach, and wouldn't find out about the deal until years down the line.
“What I found out many years later is that they were pretty close but there was a problem with the agent. My father walked into a hotel in Manchester years later and he met Sir Alex Ferguson there.
“After a certain point they came on to the subject of trying to sign me. That’s how I found out why they didn’t sign me.
Sir Alex Ferguson smiles as he acknowledges the fans prior to the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Estadio de San Mames on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain.
View 3 Images
Sir Alex Ferguson had met with his agent
“I didn’t know about the problem so for me it was new information unfortunately because Manchester United is a big club. It would have definitely been amazing to add United to my career as well. But it is what it is.”
Article continues below
Sneijder left Inter in 2013, turning out for Galatasaray, Nice and Qatari side Al-Gharafa, before retiring in 2019.
When asked if he regretted never playing in the Premier League, he said: "No, not by the end, because I had a beautiful career.
"Maybe instead of those six months in Nice it would have been nice to experience six months in the Premier League. But no, I'm okay. I feel good about it."