Former Newcastle United and Celtic winger Alan Thompson has revealed how he rejected a move to Manchester United.

Sir Alex Ferguson had agreed a £4.3million fee to sign him from Bolton in 1998 but Thompson opted for Aston Villa.

He said: "I should have joined United. They signed Jesper Blomqvist instead and he played in their European Cup win in 99.

"But I'd have missed playing for Celtic and that's where I had my happiest years."