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What Happened When Sir Alex Ferguson Watched A 19-Year-Old Petr Cech

What Happened When Sir Alex Ferguson Watched A 19-Year-Old Petr Cech

The Czech keeper was at Rennes.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Petr Cech could have been a Manchester United player, not a Chelsea player.

Then-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson went on a scouting mission to check out Petr Cech in action for Rennes.

Cech, who was 19 at the time, failed to convince Sir Alex who passed up signing him because he was 'too young'.

"I went to see Petr Cech when he was at Rennes," he said back in 2011. "He was 19 at the time and I said to myself, 'He's too young'."

Image: PA
Image: PA

However, Cech eventually wound up in the Premier League with Chelsea who snapped him up for a measly £7 million in 2004.

"But Chelsea bought him (for £7m in 2004) and he's never been out of the team," he added.

While his decision proved to be a bad call, it didn't hurt United too much as they ultimately completed the transfer of David De Gea, who's currently the clubs No.1 and arguably the best keeper in the world.

Image: PA
Image: PA

The legendary Scottish manager added: "So age doesn't matter when you have the ability of a goalkeeper like Petr Cech or, we know, David De Gea has.

"He's young, he's quick, he has fantastic presence and composure. His use of the ball is outstanding so all of these are things that don't go away."

Cech went on to have a trophy-laden career at Stamford Bridge, becoming a vital member of Chelsea's title-winning side.

Image: PA
Image: PA

He spent over 11 years in West London and won the lot. From Premier League titles to the coveted Champions League in 2012.

The 36-year-old Arsenal keeper has since called it a day, and will retire at the end of the season.

Enjoy retirement, Petr.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Petr Cech, Football News, David De Gea, Chelsea, Football, Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Premier League, Champions League

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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