- Steven Defour received a letter from Sir Alex Ferguson after he broke his foot
- The midfielder was playing for Standard Liege when he received the message
- The 29-year-old was linked to a move to the Red Devils back in 2009
- Defour came back to haunt United when he doubled Burnley’s lead on Saturday
A former Manchester United transfer target and player who received a personal letter from Sir Alex Ferguson eight years ago came back to haunt the Red Devils.
Burnley’s Steven Defour scored at Old Trafford on Saturday to give them a 2-0 lead at half-time over Jose Mourinho’s men.
Ironically, Defour was sent a letter from Sir Alex, who was in the stands, back in 2009 when he suffered a broken foot playing for Standard Liege. At the time the midfielder was linked to a move to the Premier League club.
Steven Defour scores a free-kick to double Burnley’s lead against Manchester United
Defour received a personal letter from former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson eight years ago
His switch to United never materialised but his sweetly-struck free-kick rolled back the years to Sir Alex’s heart-warming letter.
‘Dear Steven, I have just been given the news of your serious injury, and would like to on behalf of everyone at Manchester United wish you a full and speed recovery,’ Sir Alex wrote.
‘I am sure at this moment you will be feeling pretty low and wondering what’s in store.
The letter Sir Alex sent to Defour back in 2009 after he suffered a broken foot
‘Steven these are natural concerns and everyone would think the same way but I must tell you that modern medicine and treatments are incredible and you should trust them.
‘I am going to pay attention as to how you are progressing and I am going to get in touch with your club to get the information on your recovery.’
After his spell at Standard Liege, Defour moved to Porto, however he did admit there was interest from United.
Sir Alex (left) was at Old Trafford on Saturday to watch his former side draw 2-2 with Burnley
‘One thing I should like to highlight is that Ferguson has followed with interest officially,’ Defour told Het Laatste Nieuws. ‘He addressed the letter to Standard.
‘I think the attention is great, but I do not want people think I am already at Manchester, which is by no means the case. But if they come knocking, then I would obviously not cause problems.’
It took two second-half goals from Jesse Lingard for Mourinho’s men to draw to back to 2-2, meaning they failed to close the gap on league leaders Manchester City and are 12 points behind.
