The Manchester United legend has shed light on how his biggest transfer regret from his 26 years as Red Devils boss was failing to secure the signature of Paul Gascoigne
Sir Alex Ferguson signed some quality players
It is no secret by now that Sir Alex Ferguson’s biggest transfer regret during his 26-year reign at Manchester United was of course England icon Paul Gascoigne.
Ferguson tried desperately to land Gascoigne’s signature in 1988 while the mercurial midfielder was plying his trade for Newcastle, but he eventually opted to join Tottenham instead. United’s former manager has since revealed he felt that Gascoigne was English player since Bobby Charlton, but made a mistake when choosing Spurs over the Red Devils.
The legendary Scotsman felt that if the supremely talented Gascoigne had made the move to Old Trafford, he could have been kept on the straight and narrow by being taken under the wing of United hero Bryan Robson. Ferguson discussed at great length how he hoped to persuade Gascoigne while speaking to Gary Neville in an interview for LADbibleTV in 2021.
Pressed for comment on what player he regrets not signing, Ferguson replied: “Gascoigne, without question. I think he was the best English player since Bobby Charlton. I think he was a fantastic player.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t get him and I think, looking back now, he made a big mistake. 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. I think that was a big mistake by him. He was a marvellous player. I loved his strength.”
Ferguson went on to recall how during one meeting between United and Newcastle where Gascoigne was a cut above the rest and even patted Remi Moses on the head after nutmegging him.
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Ex-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists his biggest transfer regret is failing to sign Paul Gascoigne
“He was unbelievable and I said to [former Man Utd chairman] Martin Edwards on the way home: ‘Sign this boy. Get on the phone to him on Monday,’” Ferguson continued.
“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 spent four years at Spurs, winning the FA Cup in 1991 before he left for Lazio the following year. Long after he called time on his playing career, the former Three Lions star shed light on his reasoning for snubbing United’s interest.
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“There was the Gaffer [Robson] and Neil Webb, always together [on England duty]. I’m thinking – and I probably shouldn’t say this, because he’ll [Sir Alex Ferguson] probably be watching – but I thought: I’m never going to get a game here,” Gascoigne explained.
“And then Neil Webb did his ankle. He got taken off and I got the chance to play with the Gaffer [Robson] in midfield [for England], which, for me, was probably one of the best feelings ever.
“I think that’s one of the reasons I didn’t join Man United, because it was just Neil Webb and the Gaffer, constantly [for England] – and Neil Webb obviously played for Man United – so I thought: maybe I’ll not get a game.”
