Former Brazilian forward Pele has revealed that Manchester United tried to sign him while he was playing for Santos.

The 74-year-old claims that several European clubs enquired about his status and while he decided to stay in his home country, Pele admits that it could have been different if he was playing today.

According to the Metro, Pele said: "I was invited to come to Europe many times, to come to Real Madrid, Milan, Manchester United but I was OK. Santos was the best team at that time.

"But today is different. Because in my time we didn't have an agent. These days it is not the player, it is the agent who decides where they go to play. A lot of players they play one or another team because the agent tells them."

Pele won three World Cups with the Brazilian national team during his 21-year career.

Written by
Nathan Staples