Former Cardiff City manager Dave Jones has explained that Arsenal’s intention to play from the start was behind Aaron Ramsey’s decision not to go to Manchester United, who were looking to send him out on loan.
Ramsey moved from the Welsh side to Arsenal in the summer of 2008, but United were also interested in his services. Ultimately, the midfielder moved to North London and spent more than a decade there.
With Ramsey set to rejoin Cardiff on a free transfer this summer, Jones explained how the 2008 move came about and why a move to Old Trafford ultimately did not materialise.
He said BBC Sport:
We lost him to Arsenal. I don’t think he completed 20 games for us before Arsenal and Manchester United called him up.
As a personal preference, I wanted him to go to Manchester United because Sir Alex was going to let me bring him back (on loan). But I knew Arsene Wenger would play him if he went to Arsenal.