“We watched him play and received positive reports, but we didn’t think he was what we needed at the time. We had just signed Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs was already in the team, and Kieran Richardson was emerging,” Ferguson explained.
“It happens often. You notice a player who catches your eye, but sometimes you’re already well-stocked in that position, so you don’t take any action.”
Growing up as a Manchester United fan, Pedersen’s admiration for Ferguson was mutual. The Blackburn star mentioned that they would occasionally chat before and after matches, even exchanging bottles of wine.
“What really stood out to me was how nice he was. Every time we met, he was in a good mood. I think he liked me as a person, and he always spoke kindly of me.”
Pedersen joined Blackburn from Tromsø in 2004, making 349 appearances for the club (ranking him 17th all-time). By the time he left in 2013, he had scored 47 goals, many of them stunning. He then moved to the Turkish Super Lig to play for Karabükspor.
In 2014, Pedersen returned to Norway, first signing with Rosenborg before rejoining his former club Tromsø. Even in his mid-40s, he continues to play, having featured for Norwegian second-tier side Ranheim last season. He is currently seeking a new team.
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