Iconic Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson missed out on signing some legendary players during his 27-year stint at Old Trafford.
Ferguson’s best signings as Man Utd manager
The Scot enjoyed plenty of success with the Red Devils from November 1986 to May 2013, transforming United into one of the world’s most successful clubs.
Trophy
Years won
Premier League
1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013
Champions League
1999, 2008
FA Cup
1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004
League Cup
1992, 2006, 2009, 2010
FIFA Club World Cup
2008
UEFA Super Cup
1991
European Cup Winners’ Cup
1991
Intercontinental Cup
1999
Community Shield
1990, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011
As well as bringing through Carrington’s best talent, such as David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Gary Neville, better known as the Class of 92’, Ferguson also made some brilliant additions in the transfer market.
In attack, he signed the likes of Eric Cantona, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, whereas in midfield he brought in long-serving captain Roy Keane. At the back, goalkeepers Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van Der Sar were incredible under Ferguson, as well as defenders Steve Bruce, Jaap Stam, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra.
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However, it could have been even better for the Scot during his time at Old Trafford after coming close to signing this XI made up of iconic footballers since the 1990s.
1 GK: Petr Cech
Before Petr Cech moved to Chelsea and won four Premier League titles at Stamford Bridge, he was a target for Man Utd and Ferguson.
Still a teenager at Ligue 1 side Rennes, Ferguson decided against a move, with Cech going down as one of the greatest goalkeepers the top fight has seen with the Blues.
Ferguson said: “I went to see Petr Cech when he was at Rennes. He was 19 at the time and I said to myself, ‘He’s too young’.”
2 RB: Philipp Lahm
German icon Philipp Lahm never played in England, but if Ferguson had his way, the versatile right-back would’ve been a Red Devils player.
Former Bayern Munich coach Hermann Gerland once said: “It was not easy to arrange. But at Stuttgart, Philipp could play in the Champions League. After three months he was the best player on the field against Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson wanted him in England, I think that says enough.”
3 CB: Paolo Maldini
Arguably one of the greatest defenders of all-time, Paolo Maldini was wanted by Man Utd and Ferguson spoke to his father in Italy.
Ferguson said: “Well I did try. But when I met his father he was quite formidable. I got a shake of the head. That’s all I got. He did say ‘my grandfather was Milan, my father’s Milan, I’m Milan and my son is Milan. Forget it’.”
4 CB: Vincent Kompany
Man City legend Vincent Kompany could so easily have been on the red side of Manchester back in 2004, with the centre-back top of Ferguson’s wishlist.
However, a move failed to go through, and four years later, Kompany would move to the Etihad where he would win four Premier League titles.
5 LB: Bixente Lizarazu
With Man Utd on the search to replace Denis Irwin at Old Trafford in 2002, they targeted France left-back Bixente Lizarazu, who was one of the best at the time.
He was a Bayern Munich player at the time, and the German giants refused to sell Lizarazu to Ferguson and co.
Lizarazu said: “I had the chance, I think in about 2001 or 2002, to go to Manchester United, but it stopped very quickly as Bayern said no. Ferguson was keen to sign me and United had talks with Bayern, but Bayern said there was no question that I’d be leaving and so I was staying with them.”
6 CM: Zinedine Zidane
Ferguson had the chance to sign France legend Zinedine Zidane before his move to Juventus in 1996, however, he stayed loyal to Eric Cantona.
The boss felt there wasn’t room for both Zidane and Cantona, but looking back, Ferguson may have wished he made room for the French duo.
Former chairman Martin Edwards once said: “When Zidane was at Bordeaux, Les Kershaw, the chief scout, was telling me we should be interested in him and I mentioned it to Alex. Alex said that Eric had also mentioned Zidane to him but Alex felt Zidane played in the same position as Eric.
“Having gone over to France to persuade Eric to re-sign for us, after the Crystal Palace incident [with Cantona banned for eight months for his kung-fu kick], he felt that, if he had brought Zidane in, it may have affected Eric’s position, so he stuck with Eric.”
7 CM: Paul Gascoigne
A year into Ferguson’s Man Utd tenure, he would be left gutted after missing out on Paul Gascoigne’s services.
The talented midfielder was on the way out of Newcastle and looked to be heading to Old Trafford before Tottenham came in and hijacked a transfer. Spurs even bought Gazza’s parents a new house which may have swayed a move.
8 RW: Arjen Robben
Tricky Dutch winger Arjen Robben would eventually move to the Premier League with Chelsea, however, he could have done before after having dinner with Ferguson and being shown around Man Utd’s facilities.
Robben said: “I had a very good conversation with [Ferguson] over dinner in Manchester and we spoke about football and life. I also went and had a good look around the training ground and everything was good.”
He admitted he would have signed for the Red Devils there and then, but no offer was made.
9 LW: Ronaldinho
In 2003 and heading towards the peak of his powers, Ronaldinho could have swapped Paris Saint-Germain for Man Utd.
The Brazilian icon would instead move to Barcelona and Ferguson claimed former chief Peter Kenyon failed to get a deal for Ronaldinho done.
“There was a problem with his brother, who was his agent. But Peter Kenyon, who was chief executive then, didn’t get the job done.”
10 ST: Robert Lewandowski
In 2012, Man Utd were looking to sign Robert Lewandowski after two impressive seasons at Borussia Dortmund.
However, despite the Poland scoring machine being keen on a move, Dortmund were less so, resulting in the Red Devils signing Robin van Persie instead.
Lewandowski said: “After my second year in Dortmund, I had a conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson. He wanted me to come to Manchester. I was very interested. I can even say I was ready. But Dortmund didn’t want to let me go.”