Chelsea icon was 'massive Roy Keane fan' and he nearly joined Man Utd after trial

dailystar.co.uk:

Chelsea's most iconic players, but he could have turned out for Manchester United following a trial at Old Trafford.Essien, who was then 17, was looking for his first big European move after impressing in his native Ghana.Essien admitted he was a massive fan of United's captain Roy Keane, and Unite were his boyhood side.And the midfielder was 'overjoyed' when he was handed a trial at Old Trafford as a teenager, but work permits stopped the move, and instead, he ended up in France.The Ghanaian did eventually move for the Premier League, but despite having a trial at United, Essien moved to Chelsea.Essien told The Sun in 2005: "I had always dreamed of playing in Europe and, as a boy, my team were Manchester United."When they offered me a one-week trial I just couldn't believe it, I was so happy."I remember being there and thinking 'Wow, this is the biggest club in the world'."I never had the courage to speak to any of the big players.

I never even trained with the first-team squad. Would like to have seen Essien in a United shirt? Let us know in the comments section And later on in his career, Essien expanded on his comments: "My biggest hero was Roy Keane.

I just loved the way he used to play, his attitude and commitment."I still try to play like him now and maybe people compare us as I play a similar holding role in midfield as he used to.

At the end of the trial, the club said they really liked me and wanted to sign me."But they could not sort out a work permit and the move never happened.