Danny Murphy has claimed Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was "massively disappointed" when Liverpool decided to appoint Rafael Benitez instead of him.
The Portuguese boss was in the running to be Gerard Houllier's successor at Anfield in the summer of 2004, only for Liverpool's hierarchy to opt for Valencia's Benitez.
Chelsea then appointed Mourinho and it sparked fierce competition between the two clubs on the European and domestic stage for a number of years.
Murphy, meanwhile, was quickly sold to Charlton Athletic during the Spaniard's first season on Merseyside.
Speaking to talkSPORT about Man United's current form, Murphy was asked whether he would have liked to play for Mourinho during his career and replied: "Well, strangely, I nearly did!
"When Benitez was appointed at Liverpool, it was between him and Mourinho. I know that for a fact. Mourinho wanted the Liverpool job massively.
Murphy added: "But Liverpool basically went with Benitez, because he'd just won the Spanish league title and UEFA Cup with Valencia and they thought that was more solid an appointment than someone who had only done it, and that time, in Portugal.
"I know Mourinho was massively disappointed. I'm gutted too, because Benitez came in and didn't want me. I'm just gutted it wasn't Mourinho because he might have wanted me to stay!"