Arsenal icon Tony Adams famously rebuffed Sir Alex Ferguson not once, but twice, choosing to remain loyal to the Gunners despite Manchester United's advances.
The formidable defender, who lifted the Premier League twice with Arsenal, was a prime target for Ferguson during his peak years. Adams was made captain of the Gunners when he was only 21 and continued to wear the armband for 14 years.
His innate leadership skills and robust defensive acumen resulted in Ferguson being desperate to bring him to Old Trafford. Yet, Adams, who racked up an impressive 672 appearances for the north Londoners, opted to retire as a one-club man, resisting the allure of Old Trafford, where Ferguson had a knack for snatching top talent from his adversaries.
In his autobiography, 'SOBER: Football. My Story. My Life', Adams said: "Manchester United twice tried to sign me but I turned them down both times because I was Arsenal through and through.
"It was at an England get-together and Bryan Robson spoke to me about it, perhaps having been asked by Sir Alex Ferguson to have a quiet word. Tapping up? Of course, and anyone who doesn't think it goes on in the game informally all the time is being naive."