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Juan Roman Riquelme says that his only career regret was refusing to join Manchester United.

Argentinian legend Riquelme rejected the chance to join United back in 2006 after Sir Alex Ferguson was wowed by his performances for Villarreal.

The former Barcelona man had inspired Villarreal to the Champions League semi-finals that year and Ferguson wanted Riquelme to achieve similar success at Old Trafford.

In the end, Riquelme opted to stay in Spain because he felt at home in La Liga.

But now, after retiring, he has admitted to regretting that decision.

(Image: Luis Bagu/Getty)

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, he said: "The only thing I regret in my career was a decision that I took, when at the hotel in England before the semi-final with Arsenal, when Manchester United came to buy me and I said no.

"I stayed at Villarreal, because I was very comfortable with my team-mates."

In the end, United turned to Michael Carrick as the man to lead their midfield, signing him from Tottenham in the summer of 2006.

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