Indeed, Manchester United thought they had signed a 19-year-old Mikel Obi from Norwegian club Lyn Oslo following his stellar performance at the U20 World Cup in 2005, but the deal fell through in the 11th hour despite posing in a United shirt at a hastily-arranged press conference.
The former Super Eagles captain instead favoured a move to London to join Chelsea, where he spent 11 successful years, winning slew of titles with the Stamford Bridge giants.
But, before his move to Chelsea in 2006, Mikel spent time on trial at Manchester United, where he trained with some of the world’s best midfielders; the likes of Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and former Manchester United influential skipper, Roy Keane.
During the midfielders cameo appearance at Old Trafford, Mikel revealed something rather surprising about his time training alongside United’s ferocious former captain Roy Keane.
The AFCON winner now 34, says that Keane took him under his wing and prevented his teammates – namely Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt – from taking him out during training sessions.
“I trained with the first team, Roy Keane was my bodyguard.
“Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt always tried to kick me but couldn’t when Roy was there because he’d have killed them.”
Keane, who currently works as a pundit with Sky Sports is reputed for yelling and ranting at players and match officials during his playing days, and just as the saying goes a leopard doesn’t its spots.
He was a brilliant all-round midfielder during his playing career and was tough as nails. Keane was probably the last person anyone would want to upset.
Meanwhile, it’s nice to discover there is a different side to Keane as most of the stories told about the former Republic of Ireland international make him sound terrifying.
Mikel, who plays currently for Stoke City in the English Championship also revealed how Keane was one of several senior players at Old Trafford who personally asked Sir Alex Ferguson to sign him.
“Sir Alex called me Obi Wan (after the Star Wars character),” he added.
“He called me into his office one day and said: ‘Obi Wan, do you know what Keane, Scholes and all the senior players have told me? They said you have to sign that boy.
“I couldn’t believe it. Here was I, a schoolkid from Africa, training with some of the best in the world.”
But, despite the attempts of Keane and Ferguson, to bring Mikel to Old Trafford, the Stoke City man opted for Chelsea instead.
Considering the fact that Mikel Obi enjoyed an incredible 11-year-spell at Chelsea in the aftermath of his controversial move to the west London club, do you think the Nigerian would have fared better at Manchester United?
Please, share your thoughts in the comment section below…
