The England Rugby World Cup star who turned down Manchester United

Manchester United and Owen Farrell have been two of the most talked about sporting topics in recent weeks.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's bid for 25 per cent of United and sporting control has been a big Premier League story during the international break while talk of whether Farrell belongs in the England rugby side for the World Cup has been a constant discussion.

Farrell and the Reds could even have been united as player and club had things panned out differently 19 years ago. Then a budding goalkeeper, a young Farrell - son of rugby league legend and current Ireland rugby union boss Andy - was taken on trial by United and even met Sir Alex Ferguson.

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He had been recommended by his school teacher in Wigan and spent a few weeks training at the United Academy, before receiving a rugby offer from Saracens which prompted the Farrell family to leave the Reds and move down south.

United's goalkeeping coach Richard Hartis was at the club while Farrell was there and told the Telegraph: "Owen was terrific. You could just tell from within a few minutes of meeting him that he carried himself really well.

"I remember him looking me straight in the eye and giving a firm handshake. He fitted into our culture really, really well.

"You can always tell when you meet a top-class sportsman, they have that air about him and he did. You don't know if he would have made it because he was only with us a few months. But we absolutely would have liked him to stay."

Farrell ultimately progressed through the Saracens ranks to become a superstar for club and country. Tonight he will lead England out for their Rugby World Cup