According to Lee Sharpe, Dwight Yorke decided to forego a transfer meeting with Barcelona and opted to join Manchester United instead after a night of heavy drinking.
Yorke, who had gained significant attention in the 1990s due to his impressive performances at Aston Villa, was being pursued by several top European clubs, including both United and Barcelona.
However, during one offseason, Yorke’s priority was an alcohol-fueled vacation in Magaluf, reflecting his notorious partying reputation.
Yorke, accompanied by the Villa squad, crossed paths with former Manchester United player Lee Sharpe, who had firsthand experience playing under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.
Yorke took the opportunity to pick Sharpe’s brain about life at Old Trafford. Sharpe recalled the encounter on the Undr The Cosh podcast, saying, “Villa were there and I ended up spending the night with Yorkey”.
“He left the Villa lads and we ended up going somewhere. He was just pecking my head about United and Fergie. “He was talking about Fergie and what it’s like at United. It got to six in the morning and I’m like ‘Yorkey, I’ve got to go, I’m done’.”
As their conversation about United and Ferguson continued, the clock ticked on, and it reached six in the morning. Sharpe expressed his exhaustion, telling Yorke that he needed to leave. It was at this point that Yorke revealed his surprising transfer plans to Sharpe.
Sharpe recounted, “He then said ‘thanks for the info, I didn’t tell you but I chatted to Fergie last week and I’m supposed to be meeting Barcelona at nine o’clock in the morning. I think I’ll give that a miss and sign for United’. “I’m like ‘you’re telling me now, at six o’clock in the morning, that you’re supposed to be meeting Barcelona at nine!’”
In hindsight, Yorke’s decision proved to be a wise one. He went on to achieve remarkable success with Manchester United in 1999, securing the Treble along with various other trophies before eventually departing for Blackburn in 2002.
Yorke’s football journey later took him to Birmingham, Sydney FC, Sunderland, and even a brief stint in management with A-League side Macarthur FC.
Manchester United performance and stats
Manchester United
It will be Manchester United ended the league in the 13th position with 6 points.
In the last 5 games, it has won twice and lost 3 times. In its last match, Manchester United lost 1-3 against Brighton & Hove Albion.
It has a negative goal difference after scoring 6 goals and conceding 10.
Manchester United will play the next match in Premier League against Burnley on Saturday 23rd of September in Burnley.
FC Barcelona performance and stats
It will be FC Barcelona ended the league in the 1st position with 13 points.
In the last 5 games, it has won 4 times and drawn once. In its last match, FC Barcelona won 5-0 against Real Betis.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 13 goals and conceding 4.
