In a shocking revelation, Manchester City midfielder and former Arsenal star Samir Nasri has confessed that former Manchester United boss and legend Sir Alex Ferguson had asked him “to go to war” with Arsene Wenger in order to force a move away from the Emirates and sign for the Red Devils instead. Nasri has further admitted that he did not like this plan and made a move to Manchester City rather as Roberto Mancini’s insistence finally paid off.
The 27-year old attacking midfielder, who left Arsenal and completed a move to Premier League rivals Manchester City in 2011 has finally revealed some part of his controversial transfer saga. Nasri had a choice between the two Manchester clubs back then and after a long period of speculations about him, made a move to the Etihad rather than Old Trafford.
In an interview when asked about his confrontation with then United manger Sir Alex, Nasri told BeIN Sports as quoted by Dailystar, “We met in Paris with Sir Alex in a private apartment so as not to fuel rumours by meeting in a hotel. I was not convinced by his speech. There was one thing that was a problem. He said he had never hired an Arsenal player and he’d have to go to war. I told him that it does not interest me to go to war with Arsene Wenger. Manchester City was the first club to show interest. I had some doubts about the evolution of the club. Then I thought they really wanted me. They were about to sign Aguero and there was already Silva, Balotelli, Tevez. I had a discussion with my agents. They asked me if I wanted to make history or be a player like any other at United. I said, Go ahead. I won the title in my first season, so my choice was the right one.”
Although Nasri, has been a bit part player ever since his move to the Manchester club, the French man has picked up two Premier League trophies. He has a total of 91 appearances in the league for City with the 2013-14 season as his most productive with 29 appearances scoring 7 and assisting 7 more goals.