There are a few ways that a Leeds United player can endear himself to the Elland Road faithful.
Passion, commitment and adherence to Billy Bremner’s ‘side before self’ motto are some of the ways to do this on the pitch.
Another way is to show your disdain for the Whites’ bitter rivals from across the Pennines by turning down any overtures from Manchester United, which was one of many ways that Lucas Radebe was able to win over the hearts and minds of Leeds fans.
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Lucas Radebe on turning down Manchester United
The former South Africa international was one of the most respected centre-backs in the Premier League during the late 1990s and early 2000s, as he overcame a slow start to his Elland Road career following his 1994 move from Kaizer Chiefs to become the club’s captain four years later.
This put him on the radar of a number of Europe’s top clubs, including a Manchester United side in their Sir Alex Ferguson turn-of-the-millennium pomp.
“It was tempting when Sir Alex Ferguson put the £10 million price tag on me,” Radebe admits to FourFourTwo. “But Leeds showed a commitment in not forcing me out of the club.”
Rather than cashing in on one of their most valuable assets, Leeds put the ball in Radebe’s court, which turned out to be a gamble worth taking.
“They left the responsibility to me to make a decision,” Radebe continues. “They understood the decision I made, accepted it and we moved on.
“If I had left Leeds for Manchester United, I don’t know what impact I would have made. Back then, they were top of the league and winning with a great manager and world-class players.”
While that serves up the obvious ‘what if…’ question for the 70-time South Africa international, Radebe was not one to priotise the promise of silverware over loyalty.
“I don’t know if my contribution would have been for as long as the 12 years I spent at Leeds.
“I would have probably made history by winning silverware at Man United, which seemed guaranteed, but for me it wasn’t all about the accolades. My values were loyalty and respect for the club.
“Leeds were the club that changed my life and it gave me the feeling of belonging as an individual, which was what I valued the most.”
