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'Sir Alex Ferguson BEGGED me to stay!': Manchester United's most famous flop Massimo Taibi says it was his decision to leave Old Trafford back in 2000... and insists he is NOT the Premier League's worst ever keeper

Massimo Taibi's name has become synonymous with the infamous howler for Manchester United against Southampton but he insists the criticism was deeply unfair.

The goalkeeper has opened up about a family issue causing him private turmoil at the time and revealed Sir Alex Ferguson was desperate for him to stay at the club.

Taibi joined United in 1999 for £4.5million after Peter Schmeichel had left but he returned to Italy the following year having only played four games for the first team.

Massimo Taibi was signed from Venezia by Sir Alex Ferguson for Manchester United in 1999
To this day Taibi does not know how he made the infamous mistake against Southampton

To this day Taibi does not know how he made the infamous mistake against Southampton

Footage of the stopper allowing Matt le Tissier's shot to roll through his legs and dribble into the net is still replayed but time has allowed old wounds to heal - at least partially - and Taibi can now reflect on the blunder and his time at United.