Ex-Premier League star reveals why he rejected Man Utd despite Alex Ferguson 'bombarding' him with messages

A former Premier League star has revealed turned down the advances of Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United despite his many voicemails.

13-time Premier League winner Ferguson had an incredible pull with players and went to extreme lengths in order to convince them to sign for him during his glittering 26-year stint at United.

But he was unsuccessful in persuading a young Aaron Ramsey to join United back in 2008 when he was making waves at Cardiff City.

Ramsey broke into the Cardiff side in the 2007/08 campaign, playing 21 times in all competitions and helping the Welsh outfit reach the FA Cup final.

Clubs soon began to queue up for the midfielder, with Everton, Manchester United and Arsenal all circling.

Ferguson inquired about Ramsey to then-Cardiff manager Dave Jones and then proceeded to leave voicemails on Ramsey's phone - though it didn't quite do the trick as he proceeded to sign for Arsenal in a £4.8 million move.

Aaron Ramsey played 369 times for Arsenal. Image: Getty

Speaking to Optus Sport's 'Takes from the Terrace', he said: "It was a mad time for me, as a 17-year-old having voicemails left on my phone by Sir Alex Ferguson and then turning up to David Moyes' house, flying off on a private jet to go and meet with Arsene Wenger while he was doing the Euros at the time.

"It was all a bit of a whirlwind for a 17-year-old boy from Cardiff and a surreal time for me but I was itching to make that next step and play for one of the big teams.

"I kept repeating it [the voicemail] because I didn't quite believe it was happening. When I told him I wasn't going to be signing for Manchester United, I don't think he was best pleased but I definitely made the right choice in signing for Arsenal."

It was reported that Ramsey grew up supporting United but he is understood to have chosen Arsenal after Wenger flew him and his family out to Switzerland and sold him the project.

Loaned out to Nottingham Forest and back to Cardiff for extra experience, Ramsey made 369 appearances for Arsenal and scored 64 goals - including two in FA Cup final triumphs.

He left Juventus on a free in 2019 and later turned out for Rangers and Nice before returning to Cardiff and having a stint as caretaker manager.