Chris Smalling has revealed how Sir Alex Ferguson persuaded him to sign for Manchester United.
The defender had impressed in a small amount of games for Fulham before joining United.
A boyhood Arsenal supporter, Smalling told The Athletic: "In my head, I was going to Arsenal. Then Manchester United got in touch.
"I was leaving the team bus at Blackburn away and [Fulham boss] Roy Hodgson said: "We've accepted a bid from Man United". That threw me.
"I felt there were more opportunities to play at Arsenal, but I spoke to Fergie and he said: "I wouldn't sign you if I didn't think you could play games.
"Maybe his aura felt right, but I made the right decision because I was soon playing alongside great players and winning the league."
