Rustu slams "amateurs" Arsenal, Man Utd

A close friend told the Sunday Mirror, "They (Manchester United) sent a party over to get Recber’s signature on a contract. They wanted to sign him then and there.

"But the talks just collapsed when they could give Recber no assurances over the future of Frenchman Fabien Barthez and whether he would be United’s No1.

Recber said: "Barthez is a world star and I’m a world star. I’m not prepared to fight with Barthez for the No.1 spot, it’s him or me."

The friend then revealed Arsenal’s demands: "It took three months to sort out a meeting with Arsenal and their behaviour and demands defied belief. They had made no attempt to scout the player and knew little about him.

"They treated him like an 18-year-old kid who needed to prove himself."

Rustu explained: "I’m not an 18-year-old unproven goalkeeper. I’ve been in the semi-finals of the World Cup and I’m not prepared to go through an audition to convince you to sign me."