Former Celtic defender Andreas Hinkel has revealed he had the chance to join Manchester United, with Sir Alex Ferguson showing a particular interest.
That’s according to the man himself, who has confirmed rumours at the time during his playing career that Manchester United were keen on him.
Hinkel spent most of his career with VfB Stuttgart, starting in their second team before progressing to the first team and making 156 appearances for them in the league.
He then moved on to Sevilla in 2006 for a two-year spell before then joining Celtic in 2008 for three years before eventually moving back to Germany to end his playing career with SC Freiburg.
He’s since moved into coach and after various spells in different roles for Stuttgart was the assistant manager at Spartak Moscow for two years before leaving alongside Domenico Tedesco.
He’s since reunited with the German on the international stage with Belgium, again acting as his assistant with the Red Devils.
That’s led SportBILD to sit down for a conversation with him today about his career and various players he’s now watching, which led to a question about Manchester United.
The newspaper brought up the reports from earlier in his career after a ‘strong performance’ against Cristiano Ronaldo caught the eye, and he confirms United wanted him.
“That’s right, United’s then manager Alex Ferguson wanted me,” he said.
“At that time, all the big European clubs like Real and Milan were interested in me. I even know that first hand, not just from rumours in the newspaper.
“My father conducted the interviews for me at the time. So, for example, Milan legend Cesare Maldini sat at the table at our home in Winnenden.
“I decided to stay in Stuttgart, wanted to establish myself in the national team and then take the big step.
“Unfortunately, an ankle injury, which was not treated well and the consequences of which I am still struggling with to this day, threw me back shortly after my contract extension at VfB.”
