Sir Alex Ferguson couldn't sign Paul Gascoigne in time
Sir Alex Ferguson says failing to sign Paul Gascoigne for Manchester United was one of his biggest managerial regrets.
The now 83-year-old had a number of the world's most renowned footballers at Old Trafford during his 27-year reign, from the likes of David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo to Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney. However, Gazza was one of the names which he was unfortunately unable to strike a deal with.
Speaking on LADbibleTV, Ferguson explained that he tried to secure Gascoigne's services in 1988 after he had impressed in a three-year stint with Newcastle United. He explained: "We played Newcastle up there, it was Easter Monday I think, and he had just come back from injury.
"As soon as he came back, they started winning games. I went there and played three in the middle of the pitch – [Norman] Whiteside, [Bryan] Robson and Remi Moses, and he destroyed them. Honestly. And then he nutmegged Moses right in front of the dugout and patted him on the head."
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After witnessing Gazza's capabilities first hand, he pleaded with at-the-time United chairman Martin Edwards to sign the talent, but it simply wasn't to be. He added: "He was unbelievable and I said to Martin Edwards coming back on the bus, ‘Sign this boy. Get on the phone to him on Monday'.
"And by that time, he had already done a deal with Tottenham, which was really unfortunate. That was a disappointment because he agreed to sign and then Tottenham changed his mind by buying his mother and father a house."
Gascoigne ultimately made the move to Spurs - who host United in the Premier League on Sunday - in the summer of 1988 for a then-British record fee of £2.2million, going on to score 33 goals in 112 games for the Lilywhites while also receiving his first senior call-up to the England squad. Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Ferguson added: "Unfortunately, we didn’t get him and I think, looking back now, he made a big mistake.
Gazza opted for Spurs over United in 1988 ( Image: Getty Images)
"He recognised it himself years later. But we had Geordies in the camp. We had Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce, even Gary Pallister from Middlesbrough. We had people there who would have taken care of him, particularly Bryan Robson who is fantastic with players. Instead, he goes to an island in London, and you’re easily swallowed up there as a young lad."
After four years in north London, Gazza made the move to Lazio in 1992. He also represented Rangers, Middlesbrough, Everton, Burnley, Gansu Tianma and Boston United before hanging up his boots in 2004.
While Gascoigne called it quits on an illustrious career for club and country, which saw him lift the FA Cup with Spurs and two Scottish Premiership titles with Rangers, it's a far cry from what he could have achieved under Ferguson at United.
During his time in charge of Red Devils, the Scottish mastermind lifted 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Champions Leagues, firmly cementing his position in the history books as one of the greatest managers in history.
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