Leighton, who was part of the Scotland squad coached by Ferguson during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, told BBC Radio Five Live Ferguson was contacted by the Gunners just before the tournament and offered the manager's job.

According to Leighton, Ferguson had been prepared to take the job - with fellow Scot George Graham, who was appointed soon after, as his assistant - but failed to reach an agreement with the north London club as he had wanted to wait until after the World Cup finished before an announcement was made.

"We were in Santa Fe before we went to Mexico and Fergie was offered the Arsenal job at the time and George Graham would have been his assistant," Leighton said.

"But he wanted to wait until the World Cup was finished before it was getting announced and Arsenal said that they wanted it straightaway.

"So he refused it and George Graham got the job. Who knows what could have happened to Arsenal and Man United if that had been the case and went ahead.

"He wanted to announce it when he got back to Aberdeen, to do it the right way. So credit to him, he wanted to do it the right way and not from a press conference in America."

Ferguson, who had already led Aberdeen to domestic and European success, replaced Ron Atkinson as Manchester United manager in November that year and is still in charge today, 23 years and more than 30 trophies later.

Graham, the former Arsenal and Scotland midfielder, took over at Highbury in May 1986 and enjoyed nine successful years there.