Edwin van der Sar could have joined Liverpool (Picture: Getty)
Edwin van der Sar could have joined Liverpool (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United legend Edwin van der Sar admits he came close to joining Liverpool in 1999.

The Dutchman joined the Red Devils in 2005 and Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he should have signed the former Fulham stopper earlier in his career.

Van der Sar spent six years with the Red Devils, winning three Premier League titles and a Champions League in 2008.

However, the 46-year-old’s revealed his life in England could have been very different after turning down the chance to sign for United’s rivals Liverpool.

Van der Sar spent six years with Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

‘When I left Ajax in 1999, I travelled to Liverpool and spoke to Houllier,’ Van der Sar told November’s issue of FourFourTwo.

‘I was shown around Anfield and also met with the chairman and a couple of the players.

‘I thought about it, but when Juventus came to the table I came to the conclusion that it would be a bigger challenge to play in Italy.’

Van der Sar now works for former side Ajax as the club’s CEO and they were defeated by Manchester United in last season’s Europa League final.

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