Two years ago Sky Sports News reported that Manchester United had signed Marcos Senna for £3.5 million. Guillem Balague then announced the deal hadn’t yet been confirmed, but would be shortly, however for a fee closer to £6 million.

The reaction from the United fans was fairly mixed, with most being put off by his age. The midfielder had just turned 30-years-old and we were looking for a long term replacement for Roy Keane, who had left us 8 months before.

However, we were fairly desperate at the time, with Ruud van Nistelrooy leaving and seemingly no players interested in signing. Michael Carrick was on the cards, but none of us were too happy with the £18 million price tag.

In the end, Villarreal became impatient with United, as Carrick emerged as our priority signing, with Senna being used as back up, and pulled the plug on the deal. United signed Carrick, he proved himself to be worth the transfer fee, and United won the league for the following two seasons, as well as the European Cup. Senna’s name was forgotten about.

But then came Euro 2008, with Spain triumphing with Senna playing in the centre of midfield. Now aged 32, he was included in UEFA’s team of the tournament, and was named as player of the tournament by many.

Ahead of our game tonight, Senna has spoken out about his proposed transfer to United.

“I came very, very close to signing,” he said. “Sir Alex Ferguson talked to my agent and everything was done – then they suddenly signed Carrick.”

Of course, we now have Anderson and Owen Hargreaves who join our central midfielders, but we could have got Senna for a total bargain.

Do you wish we’d signed him?