The Treble hero – who was one of only five players to start each of the three final matches in 1998/99 – was worried United might not return to sign him, but suspected Ferguson admired his loyalty to his Besiktas team-mates.

“I think he understood. And maybe he saw that as a respect thing,” said Johnsen. “But you never know! I remember that time I was watching the games of United, and I think United had a French guy coming over [William Prunier]. Eric [Cantona] brought him in.” said Johnsen.

In the end, Prunier would make just two appearances after joining United on loan from Bordeaux in December 1995, and Johnsen was finally captured in the summer, becoming the most expensive Norwegian defender at £1.2million.