AS Roma icon Daniele De Rossi is adored by the Giallorossi faithful, but the ex-Italy international has admitted he always dreamed of playing for Manchester United.
De Rossi called time on his playing career in early 2020 after a brief spell with Boca Juniors, though it is Roma where he built his legacy. 616 appearances over 17 seasons, the tough-tackling midfielder will forever be a legend of the Italian giants for his contribution and loyalty.
With that being said, things could have been very different had he got his wish and joined United. The only reason De Rossi didn't end up playing his trade at Old Trafford is because of the quality that would have been ahead of him in the pecking order.
De Rossi admitted as much during an interview with Sky Sports three years ago, as he confessed his affection for the Red Devils while also laying bare the reasons a move never materialised.
"Since I was a child I have loved United," De Rossi said. "It was the right choice that I didn't go to Manchester because there was Keane and Scholes, incredible players. It was really my desire to go to Boca Juniors."
De Rossi was a remarkable talent in his day, playing his part in the Azzuri's 2006 World Cup triumph, though in trademark fashion he did miss half the tournament due to picking up a red-card and subsequent suspension.
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His quality was unquestionable, which in itself is a testament to the standard Keane and Scholes set. The fact that the United pair were such a force that they effectively intimidated De Rossi out of a move to Old Trafford sums the duo up.
It is clear that De Rossi does not look back on his decision to not join United with much regret and is immensely proud of the legacy he created in a Roma shirt.
"I went on a football path that is not unique, but rare," he continued. "Playing 20 years on a team does not happen every day. I can’t dream of the same thing if I become a coach, there are no coaches that last so long.
"I would like to coach Roma, but first I have to become a coach and to do it there is a growth path that all young coaches need."
De Rossi may dream of one day getting the chance to sit in the Old Trafford dugout and fulfil his United dream as a coach the way he opted against doing so as a player, but his time as a manager has proved underwhelming so far.
He has had just one job, at the helm of Serie B outfit SPAL, but lasted just five months in charge and left the club loitering in the relegation zone.
