Sir Alex Ferguson tried to tempt a future Arsenal icon to Manchester United. Arsenal icon Alan Smith once turned down Sir Alex Ferguson during a telephone conversation before signing for the Gunners. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTSpeaking to ex-Arsenal colleague David Seaman on the Seaman Says podcast, he revealed: "I spoke to Alex Ferguson. "The phone goes in the hall and my mum picks it up and she says, 'Alan, it's Alex Ferguson on the phone for you.' So it's not like it was 'the Sir Alex' calling but he was obviously a big name, he's the Man United manager.

Source: Express December 31, 2025 12:45 UTC