The saying ‘what if’ is thrown around an awful lot in football. When it comes to Manchester United in recent years, thoughts of what might have happened if the club had held onto Ronaldo – or not let Paul Pogba leave for £0 springs to mind. But what if United had have signed then 21-year-old Steven Defour in 2009 under Sir Alex Ferguson. The midfielder was highly rated among several big clubs in Europe, and United were almost certain to land the wonderkid – until he was struck with injury.

Now a record breaking signing at Premier League new-boys Burnley, Steven Defour has opened up about his heartbreak at failing to seal a move to Manchester United when injury prevented him from joining Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

The Belgium international joined the Premier League from Anderlecht for £8m in August, but 7 years ago the 28-year-old may well have been signing for United.

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, he said: “Before my injury it [a United move] was one of the possibilities, because I knew they were following me but then came that severe injury and that was quite a hard one from me.”

“It was an open fracture of my foot and I was really down because, for the first time, I could have played in the Champions League and then three days before I broke my foot so I was really down.”

“It was difficult to find my form before my injury to have the level of a club like Manchester United.”

Defour was part of Belgium’s Euro 2016 squad and believes he is the man to help secure Premier League survival for his team.

He added: “I just want to show my quality to help Burnley and to stay in the Premier League.”

“He [Burnley boss Sean Dyche] asked me to get the ball, to take my responsibility and get the team playing. It’s really a group, it’s really a team. It’s a team that really fits together and everybody is working for everybody.”

“I need to adapt a little bit to the standards of the club and of the Premier League, but I’m getting stronger every week. The game never stops, there is no pausing.”

Defour’s proposed transfer to United back in 2009 promised so much. However, at just 28, there is still plenty of time for the midfielder to make his mark and attract further attention.

[Quotes via Sky Sports]