Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson requested an audience with one legendary cult hero who famously snubbed the chance to move to Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson has been out of management since 2013 after he led Manchester United to their last Premier League title.
Considered one of the best managers of all time, the United legend made a long-lasting impact on English – and world – football during his time at the club.
Ferguson oversaw a dynasty at the Red Devils and United hoovered up the major silverware under the Scotsman, including 13 Premier League titles.
The 82-year-old Scot was also the first manager to lead an English club to a continental treble after United achieved the feat in the 1998-99 season.
Ferguson had legendary teams built at United and the iconic former Red Devils boss was proactive in bringing the best in class to Old Trafford.
The former Aberdeen manager famously said that he only managed four world-class players, despite having a roster of star-studded talent at his disposal.
However, Ferguson failed to bring some players to United and the legendary Scotsman even admitted he wished that he had managed one cult hero in his career.
Man Utd legend Ferguson has meeting
One of Sir Alex Ferguson’s famous failed transfer signings for Manchester United was none other than England cult hero Paul Gascoigne.
The 57-year-old England legend started his senior playing career at Newcastle and attracted the interest of Ferguson during the 1980s.
Ferguson, who arrived at Old Trafford as manager in 1986, was a big admirer of Paul Gascoigne and wanted to bring him to United in 1998.
Gascoigne had told Ferguson he would sign for the Red Devils before the former England star made a U-turn and signed for Tottenham instead.
‘Gazza,’ whose off-field issues plagued his professional career, later offered himself to United in the 1990s and Ferguson turned down the signing for one reason.
Speaking to The Rest Is Football, Gascoigne opened up on how he crossed paths with Ferguson a “couple of years ago” when he went to watch United play.
Ferguson requested an audience with Gascoigne and the former Three Lions international “started panicking” at what the Scot would say to him.
“A couple of years ago, I went to watch Man United play – I think it was [against] Chelsea – and he [Fergie] was in the lounge,” he said.
“A guy [came] up and said, ‘Sir Alex Ferguson wants to see you in the office.’ I just started panicking.
“He still [gave] us a b********g, ‘I can’t believe you didn’t sign for me.’ I went, ‘I know, I know.’
“So, he still [gave] us a b********g but he did give us one of his watches, so that was good.”
Why did Gascoigne not sign for Man Utd?
Gascoigne revealed in a chat with United legend Bryan Robson one of the reasons why he turned down the chance to play under Ferguson at Old Trafford.
“There was the Gaffer [Robson] and Neil Webb, always together [on England duty],” he told Bryan Robson in 2021, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“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.
“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.”
Gascoigne added: “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. That was one of the reasons.”