Juan Roman Riquelme has lifted the lid on his decision to say no to Manchester United in 2006.





The 36-year-old, who retired on Sunday following a professional career that spanned 18 seasons, was playing for Villarreal at the time of United's approach.





Riquelme enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at Boca Juniors either side of a five-year stay in La Liga, which also included a season at Barcelona, but says his biggest regret was having to say no to Sir Alex Ferguson.





​When posed the question by Spanish publication ​Panenka.org, the Argentina legend revealed: " Perhaps the day I said no to Manchester United.





"It was was before the Champions League semi finals against Arsenal in 2006. Ferguson came to see me in the hotel and I asked the president if he would sell me.





"He said: 'I would sell the full squad but not you.' So my answer could not be anything else but no thanks."









Riquelme, whose missed penalty in second leg sent Arsenal through to the final, returned to Boca the following February, while United signed Michael Carrick in the meantime and went on to win the first of three successive Premier League titles.



