Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United - Premier League
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - MAY 24: James Milner of Brighton & Hove Albion passes the ball while under pressure from Mason Mount of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United at the Amex Stadium on May 24, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
Leeds United academy graduate James Milner could have joined Man Utd after he left local rivals Manchester City.
A strong asset of Leeds’ throughout the years has been an academty producing several talents that have gone onto being Premier League mainstays.
One of the most notable is James Milner. The Horsforth lad became the Premier League’s record appearance maker as he hung up his boots at the end of last season.
James Milner reveals he rejected Man Utd move due to Leeds United loyalties
Now that Milner has retired from playing, he’s been featuring on podcasts, including the The Good, The Bad And The Football.
A Man Utd-dominated podcast hosted by Paddy McGuinness, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, Milner featured to shed some light on his playing career, of course playing for the three clubs most hated at Old Trafford: Leeds, Liverpool, and Man City.
Part of the podcast included Milner being asked whether that club had pursued signing him at any point in his career. And, Milner confirmed they did.
*“They did to be fair,*” Milner said. “When I was leaving City, but obviously not. No, I wouldn’t have entertained it.
“I think I’d made my mind up about Liverpool. I just couldn’t. I respect the club obviously, I’m just a Leeds fan through and through and dislike them.”
Milner left Man City in the summer of 2015 to join Liverpool. During his time at Anfield, Milner won every possible trophy under Jurgen Klopp, before spending his final years at Brighton, losing at Elland Road watching from the bench in his penultimate fixture as a footballer.
Leeds United miss opportunity to bring James Milner through youth coaching ranks
Given that Milner is now out of the game and won’t be returning to Elland Road as a player, there’s the question of what he’s doing next.
He always looked like a coach in the making during his playing days. A vastly intelligent, versatile, no-fuss player that you could see in the dugout.
Well, he’s already delving into coaching, but not at Thorp Arch. He’s taken up an unofficial role within Liverpool’s academy as he works through his coaching badges.
Hopefully, Leeds have something in the pipeline, because this is his club.