Craig Bellamy: I could have joined Manchester United (but my knee prevented move!)

CRAIG BELLAMY has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign him when he was Manchester United manager.

Bellamy, Manchester United, MUFC, Red Devils, Cardiff, Sir Alex FergusonGETTY

Craig Bellamy claims he was close to joining Manchester United

Bellamy brought to an end an 18-year playing career last season when he was at Cardiff City.

The 35-year-old played for a handful of Premier League clubs, including Newcastle and Liverpool.

And he claims a knee problem prevented him joining United.

"Fergie met with my agent in 2002 and said: "Can you get him out of Newcastle?" Bellamy told the Daily Mail.

Bellamy, Manchester United, MUFC, Red Devils, Cardiff, Sir Alex FergusonGETTY

Craig Bellamy held talks with Sir Alex Ferguson (pictured)

I did think that maybe I should just go and deal with it then

Craig Bellamy

"The honest truth is my knee. I had just had an operation. I knew that if I went to Man United I would have to hit the ground running and with my knee that would have been impossible.

"I did think that maybe I should just go and deal with it then.

"Just get there... but I would have got caught out at United and that would have been terrible.

"I have to live with myself and sometimes that hasn't been easy. But I had to be honest with myself so I was."

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