Mickael Silvestre has revealed he made his Manchester United debut at Anfield just days after snubbing a move to Liverpool.
The France international was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson after impressing against his treble winners during a Champions League quarter final tie against Inter Milan.
Silvestre was also courted by Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier who knew about his compatriot from his formative days with Rennes. It was Ferguson, however, who won the battle to sign a player who would go on to win seven major trophies during the course of a nine-year career at Old Trafford.
Ferguson wasted little time pitching Silvestre into battle and the former United defender recalled his debut was a roller coaster affair which saw his side emerge victorious following a five-goal thriller.
He said: ‘It (my debut) was actually two days after I arrived on Thursday afternoon. The gaffer picked me up at the airport and I stayed in the hotel for the night.
‘I trained Friday morning and I was on the coach to Liverpool in the afternoon for a Saturday afternoon kick-off.
‘I started, with (Massimo) Taibi as well, and we won 3-2 there. It was crazy also because Gerard Houllier tried to sign me a few days before. It was a roller coaster of emotions and getting the win was the best start ever.
‘The offer (from Liverpool) was on the table but obviously at that time United was on top of the world they had won the treble and I knew United because I had played against them with Inter the previous year in Champions League. I had a taste of Old Trafford and that was the right place for me to go.
‘My English was a disaster to I didn’t care about the booing and the insults and everything else. I was just concentrating on the game.
‘It was a great start, the atmosphere at Anfield is amazing it is one the best. Even if you are part of the opposition that gives you even more energy to go and fight for the results.’
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