Roy - I considered Juve move

The United skipper had the option of securing a lucrative Bosman move away from the club, and admitted Juve and Bayern Munich were interested in his services.

Although Bayern's bid was documented on planetfootball.com at the time, the news of the Turin outfit's offer is something of a revelation.

"A number of European clubs, big clubs, were sniffing around," he told Keane - The Autobiography.

"Juventus and Bayern Munich were the two clubs I seriously thought about.

"Both were prepared to offer unbelievable money, enough to set me up for life.

"Juventus was a big club  with a good coach (Marcelo Lippi), great players and a strong tradition.

"I liked the feel of the place when we played there. There was a good vibe off the players when we beat them in the semi-final.

"I would go there if I had to.

"Bayern was another club I admired. Again, a good coach (Ottmar Hitzfeld), and a great tradition.

"Also stability, no superstars walking in and out of the door every season in exchange for large cheques.

"In negotiations, you've always got to be prepared to walk. I was. But leaving United was hard to contemplate."

The Irishman instead penned a new deal with The Red Devils, and is currently sidelined following a hip operation, after courting controversy with his book, and the sending off at Sunderland.

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