Brazil icon reveals he ‘didn't care’ about Man Utd interest in brutal dismissal of Premier League club

A Brazil icon revealed “he didn’t” care about Manchester United’s interest in signing him.

Despite a decade of turmoil, United have managed to maintain their pull when singing the world’s best players.

But when the club were in their pomp, in the wake of a then-unprecedented Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble in 1999, the idea of turning down United would have been unfathomable for many.

Not for Rivaldo, however, a Ballon d’Or winner who was unwilling to leave Barcelona for the Old Trafford club.

Speaking of United and Bolton’s interest, the Brazilian said, via Betfair: "At the time, Bolton didn't contact me, but there were many comments in the newspapers. If there was communication, it was between directors and clubs, and I didn’t get to know about it.

“There were a lot of comments about Manchester United too, but I was doing very well in Barcelona, and in a good phase.

“Plus, I liked the city as well, so I didn't care. It was in the newspapers a lot but I was happy so I didn't even try to find out if it was true or not."

Rivaldo had told the same publication a month earlier that United would have been the only club he would have been interested in joining in the Premier League.

The 52-year-old said: “At the time that there were rumours about my potential transfer to Manchester United, they had recently won the Champions League in an epic final against Bayern Munich.

Rivaldo is among the greatest Brazilian players in history (Getty)

“I was in the stands at the Nou Camp that night and thought that, if I were going to play in the Premier League one day, my club of choice would be United.

“Of course, there were other good clubs in England then like Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool, but United always caught my attention for everything they were achieving and the way they were playing in those days.

“Sir Alex Ferguson always said good things about me when I faced them, so I have a particular affection for the club and it would be my choice if I was allowed to pick any club in the Premier League.

“I remember playing against them in the Champions League, especially in two huge games that ended with the same result - 3-3 - one at Old Trafford and the other at Camp Nou in the 1998/99 competition.”

Topics: Manchester United, Transfer News, Premier League, Champions League, Rivaldo, Barcelona, Football, Fan Reactions

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.