Essien: I nearly joined United

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has revealed that he once spent a week long trial at his boyhood favorite team, Manchester United. Whilst at Man Utd, Essien trained with Kieran Richardson among others, and revealed how close he was to actually joining the Reds.

“I grew up in Accra in the city and I was the only boy in a family of four girls," said the Chelsea midfielder.

"That was difficult enough but my dad used to be a footballer and always encouraged me to just concentrate on that. All I wanted to do was play and, although we were poor, I used to kick an old ball around in the street with my friends.

"I started taking it seriously at about nine years old. I had always dreamed of playing in Europe and, as a boy, my team were Manchester United. When they offered me a one-week trial I just couldn’t believe it, I was so happy."

"I dreamt of playing alongside Roy Keane!" continued Essien.