'Didn't call me back' - Man United beat Liverpool to sign Premier League legend after Rafael Benitez

Nemanja Vidic has opened up on a failed transfer to Liverpool before signing for their arch rivals Manchester United in 2006 when Rafa Benitez

He is widely regarded as one of the greatest centre-backs to have played in England during the Premier League era.

the 41-year-old did not always have things his own way against Liverpool and it appears as though the Reds passed up their own opportunity to sign him

Vidic said:

"The first moment I was in contact with the club [United] was December 2005. But at the time Liverpool were also involved.

"I spoke with Rafa Benitez and he was the one who was first in touch with me when I was at Spartak Moscow. My English was not good, my wife Ana was actually talking to him because my English was not great.

"Rafa was asking me if I want to come to England and certain things, everything was great, and then he didn't call me back for two or three weeks. Fergie [Sir Alex Ferguson] obviously got in touch..."

Vidic, 41, added: "He called and said; 'I've been looking at you for the last six months to a year, I like the way you play. I think you'll be good for the club. Do you want to join?' I said of course. He said; 'Everything will be settled' and then in one week I was in Manchester."