South African football icon and Leeds United great Lucas Radebe has revealed why he turned down the opportunity to join Manchester United.

Radebe played for Kaizer Chiefs between 1989 and 1994 before securing a move to Leeds, where he made 235 appearances in all competitions during his 12-year stay at Elland Road.

The 51-year-old revealed that he believed in values, tradition and culture, remaining loyal to Leeds United after they lured him away from Kaizer Chiefs back in 1994.

‘I believed in values. Coming from South Africa, our tradition and culture was embedded in me. I was lucky to be taken to the Premier League by Leeds United. So I had to be loyal to the club,’ Radebe told The Athletic.

Radebe added that he also received offers from the likes of Manchester United, AC Milan, Lazio, and Roma but turned down the chance to sign for one of the clubs to remain at Leeds.

The Soweto-born icon added he also had offers from both Lazio and Roma but snubbed them because he had already settled at Leeds and wanted to grow with the club both as a person and a footballer.

‘I had an opportunity to go to Manchester United and I turned it down. Lazio, Roma, I turned them down, too. I had settled well at Leeds and they looked after me. I wanted to grow with the club as a person and a footballer,’ he continued.

‘If I had gone to Manchester United or any other club, I don’t think I’d have achieved what I achieved at Leeds United,’ he said.

‘Forget about trophies and other things. No. To have the impact I had at that club, to be the leader I was, would I have achieved that at Manchester United?’ asked Radebe.