Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterThere are a few ways that a Leeds United player can endear himself to the Elland Road faithful.Passion, commitment and adherence to Billy Bremners side before self motto are some of the ways to do this on the pitch.Another way is to show your disdain for the Whites bitter rivals from across the Pennines by turning down any overtures from Manchester United, which was one of many ways that Lucas Radebe was able to win over the hearts and minds of Leeds fans.Play our FREE match predictor below and win �1kLucas Radebe on turning down Manchester UnitedThe former South Africa international was one of the most respected centre-backs in the Premier League during the late 1990s and early 2000s, as he overcame a slow start to his Elland Road career following his 1994 move from Kaizer Chiefs to become the clubs captain four years later.This put him on the radar of a number of Europes top clubs, including a Manchester United side in their Sir Alex Ferguson turn-of-the-millennium pomp. You may like 'I watched a lot of Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds and love visiting the Yorkshire Dales - I want to keep making memories here' Leeds United centre-back Jaka Bijol reflects on successful debut Premier League campaign I have no regrets about turning down Liverpool and Manchester United. I needed that Bolton experience in my life Youri Djorkaeff on his 2002 Bolton move Replacing Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds was a big challenge. Its a shame the club gave up on us, then paid the price of relegation Jesse Marsch on succeeding the Leeds United favourite It was tempting when Sir Alex Ferguson put the �10 million price tag on me, Radebe admits to FourFourTwo. But Leeds showed a commitment in not forcing me out of the club.Rather than cashing in on one of their most valuable assets, Leeds put the ball in Radebes court, which turned out to be a gamble worth taking.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.They left the responsibility to me to make a decision, Radebe continues. They understood the decision I made, accepted it and we moved on.If I had left Leeds for Manchester United, I dont know what impact I would have made. Back then, they were top of the league and winning with a great manager and world-class players.While that serves up the obvious what if question for the 70-time South Africa international, Radebe was not one to priotise the promise of silverware over loyalty.I dont know if my contribution would have been for as long as the 12 years I spent at Leeds.I would have probably made history by winning silverware at Man United, which seemed guaranteed, but for me it wasnt all about the accolades. My values were loyalty and respect for the club.Leeds were the club that changed my life and it gave me the feeling of belonging as an individual, which was what I valued the most.TOPICSLeeds UnitedPremier LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromGrant Shub
