Guardiola’s agent says a deal to sign the midfielder from Barcelona fell through.
Josep Maria Orobitg said: “Pep’s contract was ending in June ’01.
“Alex Ferguson’s son, Jason, called me the previous October to say United were keen.
“Pep liked what he saw. I insisted we should not make any decision until we had spoken to Barcelona president Joan Gaspart.
“Ferguson wanted a meeting with Pep. It was cancelled as United were angry things were taking too long.”
