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Andriy Shevchenko
Andriy Shevchenko has revealed he had the chance to join Manchester United at the age of 22. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images
Andriy Shevchenko has revealed he had the chance to join Manchester United at the age of 22. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Andriy Shevchenko: I turned down Manchester United

This article is more than 14 years old
Ukrainian striker says he turned down Barça and United
'I won the Ballon d'Or. I'm proud of my career'

Andriy Shevchenko has said he turned down the chance to join Barcelona and Manchester United 11 years ago in favour of a move to Milan.

Shevchenko spent seven years with the Rossoneri from 1999 to 2006 before an unsuccessful spell at Chelsea, which saw him loaned back to Milan last term and came to an end when he rejoined his first club, Dynamo Kiev, over the summer.

But the 33-year-old, who missed a first-half penalty in Ukraine's 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over England on Saturday, has revealed his career could easily have followed a different path.

"I had the opportunity to play for Barça and Manchester United when I was 22, but I chose Milan," he said. "And the club were successful, winning everything possible – including the Champions League – and I won the Ballon d'Or. I'm proud of my career.

"Nothing lasts forever. I'm 33 and I don't know how long I'll be fit enough to play. But for the final few years of my career I want to be on the pitch where I started my career. "

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