I could’ve played for Manchester United but I’m now England’s all-time top scorer and competing against my dad for Rugby World Cup glory

Owen Farrell is hoping to lead England to Rugby World Cup glory this autumn as he captains his country at the showpiece tournament.

The fly-half has helped Steve Borthwick’s side reach the final eight as they prepare for a huge quarter-final clash with Fiji this weekend. 

Farrell is playing a key role at the World Cup, however, he may not have been in this position if it wasn’t for one key decision. 

As a teenager, he had a chance to go down a completely different sporting path. 

At the age of 13, Farrell was offered a trial at Manchester United. 

Incredibly, his talents were equally as good in both rugby and football, with his ability as a goalkeeper leading to interest from the footballing giants. 

United’s goalkeeping coach Richard Hartis was there while Farrell trialled for the club and gave an insight into his talents. 

Speaking to the Telegraph, he said: “Owen was terrific. You could just tell from within a few minutes of meeting him that he carried himself really well.

“I remember him looking me straight in the eye and giving a firm handshake. He fitted into our culture really, really well.

“You don’t know if he would have made it because he was only with us a few months. But we absolutely would have liked him to stay.

“You can always tell when you meet a top-class sportsman, they have that air about him and he did.”

Farrell even got a tour of Old Trafford and was able to meet United’s iconic manager Sir Alex Ferguson. 

However, despite his incredible opportunity, he didn’t decide to pursue a football career. 

He instead received an offer from Rugby Union side Saracens which he decided to accept and therefore commit to a rugby path. 

Farrell’s dad may have had a say in that choice, due to his own successful career in the sport. 

Andy Farrell is a Rugby League legend and played for his hometown side Wigan while also reaching a World Cup final with England. 

He has since gone into management and is now in fact competing against his son at the World Cup as the head coach of Ireland.

The two could soon go head-to-head for the Rugby World Cup title, with Ireland the joint favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup. 

This would leave Farrell’s dad with the upper hand in their potential battle, but he is putting his all onto the pitch to lead England to glory. 

With an 18th-minute penalty kick in a win over Samoa last time out, he was able to break a record set by legend Jonny Wilkinson. 

Farrell is now England’s all-time top points scorer after he surpassed Wilkinson’s tally of 1,179. 

It’s a remarkable feat that he would never have achieved if he hadn’t made that huge decision to choose rugby over football as a youngster. 

His name is now cemented in his country’s record books and he will be aiming to create some more history in France by getting his hands on the World Cup even if that could make for an uncomfortable Christmas with his dad.