Harry Kewell turned down the chance to join Manchester United because he wanted to join a club that was "on the up."
The Leeds midfielder has joined Liverpool for £5 million on a five-year deal that has sparked controversy. Kewell's advisors have picked up £2million of the fee which has led to acrimony between Leeds chairman Professor John McKenzie and the player's agent Bernie Mandic.
Mandic told BBC 5 Live's Sportsweek's programme: "Harry wanted to go to club he felt were on the up."
He added: "Manchester United had a huge amount of success over the years. Liverpool have started to splutter and drop off since 1990. I think United are destined to go into a downturn."
Kewell will make his debut in a friendly in Cologne on Wednesday. But he could have been earning "30 per cent more" according to Mandic.
"I think United, if you look at cycles, are destined to go into a downturn whether this year, next year, whenever."