Arsene Wenger says he never thought about leaving Arsenal, despite being linked with a move to Manchester United in the past.

Wenger has been in charge of Arsenal for over 20 years, but according to former Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards, the Frenchman came close to leaving the club in order to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex decided to retire at the end of the 2001/02 season, a move which he eventually made a U-turn on. But that wasn’t before Wenger was linked as being his first choice successor.

Writing in his new autobiography, Edwards said that he met with Wenger to discuss the role.

“Our first choice was Arsene,” he said in his forthcoming book Red Glory: Manchester United and Me.

“We thought he was the best candidate to replace Alex. Certainly he was my number one choice.”

“So we made our approach and Wenger did show a little bit of interest, enough to want to meet (chief executive) Peter Kenyon and me at his house in London to listen to what we had to say.”

Wenger would not give any further information about the discussions when asked about the situation, but he did insist that he did not consider leaving for the Gunners for Manchester United as an.

“I am always very confidential,” said Wenger.

“No (I was never tempted by Manchester United) because I was always happy here. More than people were happy with me, I was always happy here.”

“Because I love the values of this club.”

“For me, a club is about values first and as well because I know what has changed. One day it would be a good chat to have with the press to look at the evolution.”

“A lot has changed, but when I came here this club was about values that I love in sport and that’s why I’m still in the competition.”

“So I will always question myself. Yes, of course Man Utd is attractive, but am I happy here? The answer is yes.”
[Quotes sourced via Daily Mail]