New Stoke City signing Ryan Shawcross has revealed he turned down a new contract offer from Manchester United to make the move.
"My contract there was up in the summer and Sir Alex wanted me to stay," he told Stoke's official website. "He offered me a new deal but the attraction of playing first-team football every week here was what swayed my decision.
"It was very hard to leave, though, as they made me a very good offer.
"Sir Alex was disappointed when I turned it down, but told me that if I was going to go to one club, it should be Stoke."