Paul Scholes has revealed that he could have been sold by Manchester United after refusing to play in a League Cup tie ten years ago.
The central midfielder retired at the end of last season, but admitted that it could have been much different after he declined to participate in an encounter away at Arsenal in 2001.
"I don't know why I did what I did in 2001, but it is something I really regretted doing," Scholes is quoted as saying.
"I wasn't in a great mood. I had been left out of the Liverpool game the previous weekend and I knew that the team going down to Arsenal in the cup was basically a reserve side.
"I just got a bee in my bonnet that I wasn't happy about things. I had my reasons but it was stupid really.
"It ended with a fine and me having to apologise, but I was lucky. The manager would have been within his rights to get rid of me."
Having hung up his boots, Scholes has now taken up a coaching role with United.