Shilton reveals three missed chances to join United

“I was in the first team when I was 17, so I felt that was the right decision. Around the time I left Stoke in 1977, Tommy Docherty nearly came in for me but, two days later, he got the sack.

“There was also interest when Ron Atkinson was United manager but it was a move that never ended up coming off.”

Shilton faced United many times during his career and feels Denis Law is the best Reds striker he faced. However, he added: “After that, I remember Brian McClair, Dion Dublin and Mark Hughes. All top centre-forwards.”