The responses that Alan Shearer's tweet received were absolutely mouthwatering for anyone who is a fan of Manchester United. A citation from the popular television game show Bullseye that reads, "look at what you would have won," placed next to an image of Sir Alex Ferguson proudly parading the trophies for the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
Shearer continues to be questioned about it to this day, so it's no surprise that it's still an emotionally charged topic for him.
“NEVER! I couldn't stand them back then, and I certainly can't stand them now!!!" This was his tweet in response to a question about whether or not snubbing United (twice) was something that he still felt resentful about.
His first opportunity to move to Old Trafford came in 1992, but Alan Shearer ultimately decided to stay with Blackburn, and Manchester United opted to sign Eric Cantona instead. The latter would be of tremendous assistance to Manchester United in their quest to win back-to-back league titles and the FA Cup.
But it wasn't until 1996, when football (almost) returned to the United Kingdom, that Ferguson made his most ambitious offer for the striker that everyone wanted. Imagine someone like Harry Kane or even Erling Haaland now; Shearer belonged in that same company. He would have taken United to the next level under Fergie's leadership.
"I'd actually done a deal as far as Alan Shearer's contract was concerned, we'd come to a settlement," said former United chairman Martin Edwards. "Shearer had visited Ferguson at his home, engaged him in conversation, and reassured him that he intended to show up. I believe that the issue stemmed from the fact that Blackburn's chairman, Jack Walker, was not a big supporter of Manchester United, Blackburn's primary rival among the other Lancashire clubs.
"Alan Shearer's arrival at Manchester United was the last thing he wanted," he said. Walker was like a father figure to Shearer, and I don't think Alan wanted to upset Walker by coming to United because of their close relationship. Shearer was very close to Walker. And I'm not sure Jack would have let him come anyway, whereas he was happy for Alan to go to Newcastle, I don't think that was a threat to him."
The following information is common knowledge. And the public perception was not that Shearer had been snatched away from United by Blackburn; rather, it was viewed as a snub from Shearer. In point of fact, it was both of those.
The fact that he chose Newcastle, where he would become a club legend but where they would never win anything, was the aspect that caused fans of United to laugh. The lyrics of the song continue by saying that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was hired instead.
Solskjaer joined the club in the summer of 1996 and remained there for more than a decade, winning six league titles, two FA Cups, and the Champions League in 1999, which was when his famous toe-poke secured the treble in dramatic fashion. In that season, Newcastle finished 13th in the Premier League, and United defeated them handily in the FA Cup final, winning 2-0. The match was a breeze for United.
Shearer insisted recently that he does not have any regrets about either decision that he has made. "Of course, I was tempted to join Manchester United, but I do not regret either decision." "My time at Blackburn was incredible, and we ended up winning the league. And I was able to make my own dream come true by playing for the Newcastle club, which is located in my hometown. I have memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life, as well as a goalscoring record that fills me with extreme pride."
The fact that Shearer wasn't convinced to come to Old Trafford, despite Ferguson's assurances that he could have the No. 9 shirt (but that he wouldn't be taking penalties, given Cantona's perfect record from the penalty spot), didn't cause Ferguson to lose much sleep in the end, despite the fact that he was initially infuriated by the situation.
"I thought that if they were the only things worrying him, we would get our man, but it turns out that they aren't." "he said. "Only time will tell if he made the right decision by going with Newcastle instead of us."
Only Shearer knows the answer to the question of whether or not he is truly content with the choice he made. United certainly did not look back on that era of its history with a lot of regret, but the company was not accustomed to being ignored at that time.
So if you're at Old Trafford on Sunday and you hear someone singing "cheer up Alan Shearer" to the tune of the Monkees' "Daydream Believer" or the famous Solskjaer song, just think back to this whole saga and that Ferguson quote in particular. Since the early 1990s, Manchester United supporters have taken great pleasure in making fun of Shearer. That is not going to change in the near future.
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