‘Sir Alex Ferguson Came To Watch Me - I Then Blew Man Utd Dream Fighting My Teammate’

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Ex-Spurs ace ruined chances of Man Utd move by fighting teammate in front of Sir Alex Ferguson

For most, playing for Manchester United is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This was especially true during the days when Sir Alex Ferguson was calling the shots – blow your chance, and you wouldn't get another.

It was a brutal environment for those who helped the Red Devils win 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League titles and a gluttony of other domestic trophies over the span of 26 years.

But it was also that no-holds-barred mentality that helped produce some of the best footballers in the world, as well as the sort of expectation that has gone adrift in recent years and brought about a period of instability.

In Fergie's days, it was far more difficult to be called up for Red Devil duty. And this was what one promising player learnt the hard way after letting his moment pass him by, completely losing his cool when the legendary United boss turned up to a game to scout him.

The player in question is considered among the most skilful players in Premier League history, but because his mentality was tough to tolerate at any 'serious' (for want of a better word) clubs, he also winds up on a list depicting those with the most wasted potential , too.

Adel Taarabt became a cult hero at QPR, the perfect archetype of a 'streets won't forget' player. A mercurial talent, Taarabt first joined the Hoops on loan from Spurs in 2009 before signing permanently, and went on to make 164 appearances, scoring 34 goals and assisting 41 more.

The Moroccan's displays at Loftus Road made him one of football's most exciting prospects, and he was often tipped for a big move. Among his admirers were a dominant Man Utd managed by Fergie, who even travelled to Hull to catch him in action in a Championship clash in January 2011. But Taarabt has revealed to TalkSPORT that any chance of a move fell apart after chaos ensued when he fought with senior teammate Shaun Derry. He explained:

> “There was one time, we were first in the Championship and I know that game, Sir Alex Ferguson came only for me. We were playing at Hull City, and he just came because he wanted to sign me.

> "Then after 42 minutes, I fought with Shan Derry during the game and I went to the touchline. I said to [my manager] Neil Warnock, ‘You’re gonna change me now, I'm going out.’ And then Ferguson said, ‘What? He's crazy this boy'."

While Ferguson had seen enough, such was Taarabt's importance at QPR that his manager - the foul-mouthed Neil Warnock - ignored his calls to be substituted and instead took aim at Derry. He continued: “Neil Warnock said, ‘No, I'm not going change you, stay here’. I was just standing for four minutes on the touchline. I said ‘Change me. I want to go out.’

> “And then after half time, Neil Warnock went and destroyed Shaun Derry. He said, ‘This is the first and last time you speak to him. If he wants the ball, give him it. Don't talk to him, otherwise I’ll change you, you will never play for me’. And then after that, I think Sir Alex Ferguson said: 'I cannot take a boy with this mentality'."

While Taarabt saw any chance of a move to Man United disappear in a flash, he turned down a chance to join Arsenal on his own accord. Despite being offered opportunity to play European football under another tactical genius in Arsene Wenger, the maverick star revealed he opted to stay at QPR as he was earning better wages, and was keen to avoid a repeat of his struggles at Spurs. He explained:

> “I spoke with Wenger, and he told me to come, he said, ‘I will offer you with Champions League [football]'. But already, what he offered me on wages was much lower than what I was earning at QPR before I signed my new contract.

> “In the end I said: ‘No, if QPR is going to give me a new contract, I'm not coming to Arsenal and having to fight for your position, [where you’re] not sure if you’ll play every week."

Concluding: “So even though it was a good offer, I said, ‘No, I'm not going," there has to be a part of him that regrets that decision, seeing as he never reached the heights expected of him.

While the assumption was that he'd be winning trophies like they were going out of fashion, he went out on loan to Fulham, AC Milan, and Genoa, having permanent spells at Benfica, Al-Nassr and UAE outfit Sharjah - having concluded his English football career without a single trophy.

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