One legendary former player that Sir Alex Ferguson regretted selling has spoken out about the Manchester United legend’s decision to let him leave Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson managed a roster of star-studded talent at Manchester United, including Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham and Wayne Rooney.
The former United boss was keen on bringing the best in class to Old Trafford, as Ferguson ushered in a period of dominance for the Red Devils in English football.
However, Ferguson also failed in his bid to sign legendary players in the past, despite doing everything in his power to bring them to Old Trafford.
Following his retirement from management in 2013, the 82-year-old Scotsman named one England cult hero as a player that he wished he had managed.
Ferguson, who has remained an ever-present figure at Old Trafford, has also revealed four players he would have liked to have managed if he had not retired.
The United legend has admitted regret over letting certain players leave Old Trafford, with one former Red Devils player speaking out on his exit from the club.
Ferguson’s Man Utd transfer regret speaks out
Gerard Pique spent part of his youth career at Manchester United’s academy after the Red Devils snapped him up from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy.
The 37-year-old ex-Red Devils defender lifted a Premier League title, a Champions League and an FA Cup under legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
But Pique only managed 23 senior appearances for United and struggled to establish himself in the first team amid Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic’s partnership.
The former Spain defender left Old Trafford in 2008 and completed a £5m return to Barcelona, with Pique enjoying incredible success at the Camp Nou.
Speaking on his relationship with Ferguson, Pique told Sky Sports: “Well, in a way it feels good that he says that [regret over letting him leave], but I can say that for me Sir Alex Ferguson was like a second dad.
“I always say that because when I arrived at Manchester United, I was 17 at that time. He helped me a lot to adapt to the country and to the club. It wasn’t easy.
“I [did not have] my family there. Neither my friends [either]. And it was difficult for me to really arrive to a new club, a new language, new culture, new everything.”
Pique and Ferguson’s exchange over Man Utd exit
Pique saw out the remainder of his prolific playing career back at Barcelona, with the Spaniard lifting nine La Liga titles, seven Copa del Reys and three Champions Leagues with the club.
The Barcelona legend admitted that he told Ferguson it was his “dream” to play for the La Liga side and wanted his return to the Camp Nou when he was at United.
Ferguson admirably honoured Pique’s request and even asked for a low transfer fee to make the move happen, despite wanting to keep the Spaniard at Old Trafford.
“So, yeah, I had this period of four years and I remember the time that I asked Sir Alex to [let me] leave because I knew that Barcelona was interested in me,” Pique continued.
“It was very tough in a way and I said to him, ‘Listen, you have to let me go. It’s my dream to join Barcelona. It’s the club of my life and I hope I can go.’
“And really I mean he had the detail to say, ‘Okay. I will not ask a big amount of money because I know that if not, the transfer will not happen.’
“And I think that he asked [for] just £5m and I could go to Barcelona. I could leave the club, so I can say that Sir Alex in a way he did a big favour to me which is letting me go.”