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Mark Viduka reveals he had talks with Elton John when he almost moved from Leeds to Man Utd

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Image for Mark Viduka reveals he had talks with Elton John when he almost moved from Leeds to Man Utd

Mark Viduka has been reflecting on his football career and focused heavily on his time with Leeds in an exclusive interview with ESPN.

He detailed different events during his time at Elland Road, including a failed move to AC Milan as well as his poor relationship with compatriot Harry Kewell.

Also included in the interview is an intriguing account of when the former Australia international held talks with Sir Alex Ferguson over a proposed move to Manchester United.

Viduka suggests he opted against the move due to his love of living in Leeds at the time, but did reveal that an iconic figure was in the know about the possible transfer.

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Speaking to ESPN, Viduka said:

“I was in Manchester, and my agent at the time also had a lot to do with Elton John.

“He said stay for the night and come to the show. He had backstage passes, and I’d get the chance to meet the man for myself. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse.

“So I’m there with Jacob Burns, my Leeds teammate and fellow Aussie, as we got ushered into his dressing room. As we enter, Elton swings around on a swivel chair and says, ‘Mark Viduka, you’re from Melbourne. I love that place!’

“I was nervous, so I babbled on about my meeting with the Red Devils that day and a possible move. Instead of going to our seats to watch the concert, Elton gets us to watch it at the side of the stage. About three songs in, he says, ‘I want to dedicate this next one to my good friend Mark, who is in Manchester today to make a big decision.”

It seems that Elton John very nearly gave the game up, therefore, and that indicates that the switch to the Red Devils likely came very close to happening, despite the Whites also denying him a move to Italy.

Our eventual relegation was perhaps only delayed by Viduka staying, therefore, as he scored 20 league goals in 2002/03, when we finished just five points above the drop zone.

It is good to be reminded of player loyalty during a period where we needed it most, and that is something we are seeing with Kalvin Phillips, and hopefully will see with the likes of Jack Harrison and Ben White, whose loan deals expires at the end of the season.

Marcelo Bielsa could play a big role in tying down players for the long-term, but our support and making players feel like they belong to the Leeds family is also crucial.

Being able to offer Premier League football soon could be another huge advantage, and may allow us to witness players of Viduka’s quality once more.

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