‘Over my dead body’ – Chelsea hijacked Manchester United for winger two months after dad ripped into ownership

Arjen Robben snubbed Chelsea before performing a U-turn to join the club over Manchester United.

The former Netherlands winger completed a £12million switch to Stamford Bridge from PSV in March 2004.

His transfer was agreed ahead of a summer arrival just months after his dad had publicly slammed the Blues.

Robben had been the subject of a transfer battle between Chelsea and United dating back to January of the same year.

The Dutch side had invited the London club for talks after being angered by United‘s approach.

It came after Robben visited Old Trafford without their permission to meet with Sir Alex Ferguson.

He was give a tour of the stadium alongside extensive talks with the Red Devils.

Having been identified as the long-term successor to Ryan Giggs, Robben’s dad Hans made his transfer stance clear.

Hans, who also acted as his son’s agent, hit out at then-Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich in a brutal interview.

He told the Mirror at the time: “My son will not go to Chelsea. Over my dead body will he go there.

“They have an owner who has no philosophy or structure at the club. Chelsea just buy expensive players all over Europe and think it will make them a great team.

“But my son has been to see Sir Alex Ferguson and nobody knows better why organisation and a good structure at a top club is so important.

“Old Trafford is the only place he wants to play and if he can’t play there he would rather stay at PSV.

“In fact he would rather play in their reserves than go to Chelsea. It’s as simple as that.”

However, Chelsea announced Robben’s signing on a five-year deal just two months later.

United had remained keen on a move, but saw a reported £5m bid rejected by PSV, allowing their rivals to swoop in.

After signing for the Blues, Robben explained: “I think I can become a better player at Chelsea and develop myself into a top European player.”

He went on to spend three years with the club, scoring 19 goals and providing 23 assists in 106 appearances.

In that time, Robben won six trophies including two Premier League titles and an FA Cup.

Meanwhile, he failed to find the target in his four Chelsea appearances against United.

Robben was ultimately sold to Real Madrid in 2007 before going on to spend a decade with German giants Bayern Munich.

He retired aged 37 in the summer of 2021 after returning to his boyhood club Groningen for a season.