Alan Shearer made Sir Alex Ferguson turn air blue after Newcastle United transfer decision

Alan Shearer has revealed how Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to conduct transfer talks with him before Kevin Keegan in order to win the race for his signature in 1996.

And while Manchester United were in a great position to sign Shearer, a second round of talks with Keegan persuaded the number 9 to come home. But Newcastle United icon Shearer has revealed he had doubts on going to Old Trafford after querying whether he would be the penalty taker or not.

Speaking in a new book out for Christmas, Shearer said: "I went to see Kevin (Keegan) in the morning at David Platt’s mother-in-law’s house in Cheshire before a Bryan Adams concert and then Sir Alex Ferguson in the afternoon. Sir Alex asked whether he was the first to see me. I told him I’d seen Kevin first to which he replied, ‘That’s me f*****, then.’

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"The talks with Sir Alex went well and I was impressed with what he had to say. I asked if I could take the penalties and he said, ‘Eric (Cantona) is on them.’

"I said, ‘I know but can I take them?’ He just looked at me with those steely eyes of his as if to say, ‘I’m not telling or asking Eric that.’ It was such a difficult decision to make.

"One minute I was going to Man United, the next it was Newcastle. At one stage I’d decided to sign from Man United. I’d driven around Manchester and I was going to buy Graeme Souness’ house."

After Shearer had made his final decision, he attempted to telephone Ferguson out of courtesy but failed to get his attention. Shearer said: "Out of respect to Sir Alex, I thought I should ring and tell him my decision. I rang him once, no answer, I rang him again, no answer and the third time he didn’t pick up again so I left a voice message.

"He didn’t ring me back, which I understand. I think somebody must have told him I’d signed for Newcastle!"

The Entertainers 1992-1997 Kevin Keegan's Legacy by Will Scott is available in all BACK PAGE Shops in the North East and online at Amazon or www.newcastlelegends.com