Gary Linekar has spoken about his decision to reject Manchester United as a player - twice.

The England attacker could have joined United in 1985 and 1989.

The man who played for the likes of Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham had his reasons for turning down a move to Old Trafford.

"Right at the 11th hour it suddenly appeared that Spurs might not be able to do the deal [from Barcelona], financially," he said to FourFourTwo.

"That's when my agent spoke with Alex Ferguson, who was keen to take me to Old Trafford.

"It was close to being done, but then Tottenham came back and said they could do it.

"You have to remember that the Manchester United of 1989 weren't the Manchester United of four or five years later."