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PETE JENSON: Joaquin is the renowned free-spirit who snubbed Man United 20 YEARS AGO and stood up Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho... now Real Betis' veteran captain, 41, can roll back the years and show English football what they were missing

The clocks go forward at the end of the month but those inside Old Trafford on Thursday night will be forgiven for checking they haven’t gone back two decades when Joaquin Sanchez runs out for Betis.

The evergreen former Spain international almost moved to England nearly 20 years ago. United were in the hunt for him although it was Chelsea that came closest to signing him, until he stood up Jose Mourinho and decided to stay at his home town club.

Now 41, he’ll wear the captain's armband if he starts and there will be several players on the pitch who were not yet born when he made his debut in September of 2003.