Legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has made a startling admission about the transfers that got away during his iconic 27-year reign at Old Trafford.
In a rare revelation, the Scot has detailed how several world-class players slipped through the net, potentially altering the course of Premier League history. These weren't just missed opportunities but genuine attempts to sign players who would define an era.
The One That Hurt Most: Paul Gascoigne
Ferguson revealed that failing to sign Paul Gascoigne from Newcastle United in 1988 remains one of his biggest regrets. United had even agreed a deal with the Magpies, but Gazza's late change of heart saw him join Tottenham instead.
"We had agreed everything with Newcastle," Ferguson recalled. "He had agreed to come to Manchester United. Then Tottenham came in and his father and his mother moved down to London. That was a disappointment."
The Premier League's Record Goalscorer
Long before Alan Shearer became the Premier League's all-time top scorer, Ferguson identified him as a future star. United attempted to sign the striker not once, but twice - first from Southampton and later from Blackburn Rovers.
Despite offering a British record transfer fee, Ferguson couldn't persuade Shearer to choose United over his boyhood club Newcastle in 1996. The prolific striker's goals could have added multiple trophies to United's already impressive haul.
More Missed Opportunities
The list of near-misses reads like a who's who of footballing greatness:
- John Stones: Ferguson admired the defender during his Barnsley days but considered the £3m price tag too steep for a teenager
- Raphael Varane: United identified the French defender years before his Real Madrid move but couldn't secure the deal
- Wesley Sneijder: The Dutch maestro was heavily linked with United during his Inter Milan peak
- Karim Benzema: Ferguson tried to sign the French striker from Lyon before his Madrid move
These revelations show that even the most successful managers in football history have their share of transfer market regrets. While Ferguson's United won 38 trophies, one can only wonder how many more might have been secured with these stars in red.
