The Uruguayan former footballer spent two years at Old Trafford in the early 2000s but explained that he opted to leave for La Liga side Villarreal for the sake of his career due to the "fierce" competition for places at United.

Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine, Forlan said: "The competition was fierce. I was at one of the best teams in the world and, while I might have been able to get more minutes, that's how it was.

"I would love to have stayed, but knowing I wasn't getting the opportunities I wanted, it felt like a good idea to look elsewhere for playing time. It wasn't easy because I had a five-year contract at the club, but I think I made the right decision."

However, Forlan does have fond memories of United's legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson and the welcome he received when he joined the Red Devils from Argentine side Independiente in 2002.

He recalled: "The first time we spoke was on the phone. I'd studied at a bilingual school, so despite Sir Alex's strong accent and my nerves, we managed to understand each other.

"When I landed in England, he was waiting for me at Old Trafford and showed me around every corner of the stadium. From that first meeting, I saw how approachable he was."

Forlan admits that he found it hard to adjust to the rigours of the Premier League during his early months at United.

He said: "It was a major contrast – moving from a pretty good league like Argentina's to another with some of the best players in the world. In England, the game was played at a different speed and was even more physical.

"I didn't get many minutes in my first few months, but felt comfortable in the dressing room. Juan Sebastian Veron helped me settle in. He was a strong character who protected me from the moment I arrived."