Manchester United tried to lure Arsenal legend with promise of household appliance

Imagine how many spin cycles Paul Pogba could have gotten.

Although he played for several clubs throughout his career, the history books will see Liam Brady as a Republic of Ireland and Arsenal legend. He arrived at Highbury as a 15-year-old, made his professional debut two years later and quickly establishing himself as a star in North London. He was such a legend as a player, that he was later recruited later as Head of Youth Development and Academy Director. However, things could have gone very differently for him had Manchester United been quicker to have a washing machine installer around to his mother's house. Brady was in Dublin on Monday to publicise Sampdoria's friendly against Manchester United in the Aviva Stadium on August 2, and he explained just how close he came to signing for the Red Devils (quotes via The Times).

"I nearly went to Manchester United as a kid. The reason I didn’t go was because Arsenal got in before them. "The scout here in Ireland was a guy called Billy Behan. Because I was a Manchester United fan he thought I was nailed on. Then I went to London and Arsenal liked me and they looked after me."

He added that United were actually willing to throw in a sweetener to lure him to the club - a washing machine for his mother. However, at that point, he had already made his mind up.

"Manchester United actually offered my mother a washing machine for me to go there. But my mind was made up and a washing machine wasn’t going to change it."

All the spin cycles in the world couldn't stop him from joining the Gunners.