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<P class=big>One of West Ham United's new Argentine stars, Javier Mascherano, claims he turned down Manchester United's overtures because of Juan Sebastian Veron.
The Red Devils have already made it clear, for their part, that they turned down the chance to sign Mascherano and Carlos Tevez - who both joined West Ham last week.
However, Mascherano insists that he was put off the idea of joining United by fellow countryman Veron - who played under Sir Alex Ferguson for two seasons from 2001 to 2003.
"Playing in England is a great opportunity and it is very important that I have been able to play with my great friend Tevez," said Mascherano.
"Manchester United asked some questions about me, but in the key moment, they were not decisive.
"I have spoken with Veron and he told me that Ferguson does not have much belief in Argentinean players, so I was reluctant.
"I know Gabriel Heinze is there, but Veron has some different stories.
"For me to sign for West Ham United is not a negative part of my career, it is a historical club and this season we will play in the Uefa Cup, which will be exciting."
Sir Alex Ferguson, though, insists that United were never seriously interested in either Mascherano or Tevez.
"We were offered both Tevez and Mascherano, but we have different ways of working and the offer did not interest us," said Ferguson.
"With Hargreaves, we tried to get him at the end of last season actually, but there was never any inclination from Bayern Munich to sell. We kept pursuing it because we thought he would have been perfect.
"We would have preferred to add to the squad, but we've got a good squad and I'm happy with it. We're doing well and we've got a good team.
"I feel we have a big, big chance of winning The Premiership. We have a good young team who are starting to mature and they have the desire."
Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood said that his club never even thought about the pair.
"There was no discussion whatsoever about them at board level," said Hill-Wood.
"If Arsene Wenger had been even remotely interested, there would have been but it never came up."
The Red Devils have already made it clear, for their part, that they turned down the chance to sign Mascherano and Carlos Tevez - who both joined West Ham last week.
However, Mascherano insists that he was put off the idea of joining United by fellow countryman Veron - who played under Sir Alex Ferguson for two seasons from 2001 to 2003.
"Playing in England is a great opportunity and it is very important that I have been able to play with my great friend Tevez," said Mascherano.
"Manchester United asked some questions about me, but in the key moment, they were not decisive.
"I have spoken with Veron and he told me that Ferguson does not have much belief in Argentinean players, so I was reluctant.
"I know Gabriel Heinze is there, but Veron has some different stories.
"For me to sign for West Ham United is not a negative part of my career, it is a historical club and this season we will play in the Uefa Cup, which will be exciting."
Sir Alex Ferguson, though, insists that United were never seriously interested in either Mascherano or Tevez.
"We were offered both Tevez and Mascherano, but we have different ways of working and the offer did not interest us," said Ferguson.
"With Hargreaves, we tried to get him at the end of last season actually, but there was never any inclination from Bayern Munich to sell. We kept pursuing it because we thought he would have been perfect.
"We would have preferred to add to the squad, but we've got a good squad and I'm happy with it. We're doing well and we've got a good team.
"I feel we have a big, big chance of winning The Premiership. We have a good young team who are starting to mature and they have the desire."
Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood said that his club never even thought about the pair.
"There was no discussion whatsoever about them at board level," said Hill-Wood.
"If Arsene Wenger had been even remotely interested, there would have been but it never came up."
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