Ferguson details Man Utd transfer regret - "He'd have had better career with us"

Sir Alex Ferguson oversaw a number of transfer dealings during his 26-year tenure in the Manchester United dugout - some a huge success, some less so - while some failed to materialise altogether.

Of the latter category, one of the most famous faces is Champions League winning midfielder and World Cup runner up Wesley Sneijder - the Dutchman touted with a move to Manchester seemingly every summer while operating at the peak of his powers for Inter Milan.

However, Ferguson has since updated fans on the failed move and confessed a deal with the 2010 UEFA Midfielder of the season was never particularly close, despite the persistent media speculation - but did reveal the player he regrets not signing the most.

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed the player he regrets not signing - and it's not Wesley Sneijder ( Image:

UTD Podcast - Manchester United)

Speaking to the UTD podcast, the former Red Devils boss explained: "Well, you mention the boy Sneijder, that's come up a lot of times but we were never interested in Sneijder.

"I don't know where that came from but you get a lot of them."

The ex-United boss went on, revealing the missed signing that he regrets most from his tenure - an iconic figure of English football who always had keen admirers at Man Utd.

"In reality, you have to say, the only one that always comes to my mind and that's [Paul] Gascoigne, " claimed Ferguson.

"He was absolutely fantastic. I think if we'd have got him, he would have had a great career, I really do. I'm not saying he didn't have a good career but he would have had a better career with us.

"We had Geordies in our squad like Robson, Bruce plus Bobby Charlton.

"Sir Bobby would have been a fantastic mentor to him because he's such a fantastic man and even Gary Pallister, although he was from Middlesbrough and I know they don't count that as a Geordie, as someone who understands the culture like Gary would. He promised to sign for us and I went on holiday.

Would Gascoigne have had a better career at Man Utd? Have your say here.

Paul Gascoigne eventually signed for Spurs despite interest from Man Utd ( Image:

Getty Images)

"I got a phone-call from the front desk from Martin Edwards saying he'd signed for Tottenham.

"He signed for Tottenham because they bought his mother a house for £80,000 and, dearie me, I couldn't believe it, you know. He was a fantastic player."

The story goes that Ferguson's admiration of Gascoigne started in 1988 when the attacking midfielder ripped his United side apart, just two years before he would become a household name the world over due to his performances for England in the 1990 World Cup.

Instead, Spurs pipped United to the post after agreeing a British record £2.2 million deal with Newcastle.