Raphael Varane has spoken of originally turning down Manchester United in 2011.
Varane, 28, was finally unveiled as a United player last weekend after the club agreed a £40million deal with Real Madrid in July.
The Frenchman is regarded as one of the best centre-backs in Europe and he is expected to partner Harry Maguire for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.
But he could've joined United in 2011 when leaving Lens.
"There had been a lot of rumours and a lot of people speaking about me and Manchester United since 2011, when Sir Alex Ferguson came to my mother's house," Varane told United's official website.
"When it was real, that was when I spoke with my club, and I felt it was a real opportunity to play in the Premier League for Manchester United."