Ferguson's "pity" response after being snubbed by star who embarrassed Neville

Sir Alex Ferguson has recalled his failed attempt to lure legendary Italian striker Alessandro Del Piero to Manchester United.

Del Piero, who turns 47 today, forged a reputation as one of the most potent strikers in Europe during a glittering career that spanned over two decades.

His technical excellence won him the admiration of Ferguson, who kept a close eye on Del Piero throughout his career.

And the legendary former United chief revealed that he had been urged to sign Juventus legend after he tormented United during a Champions League clash back in the late nineties - with both Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville, who had been turned inside out by Del Piero during the match, echoing Ferguson's sentiments.

United did attempt to do so, but Del Piero refused to discuss a move. Ferguson revealed that United tried again following Juve's relegation to Serie B in 2006 as a result of a match-fixing scandal. But they still couldn't prise Del Piero away from Italy, with the striker insisting he did his part in restoring Juventus back to Serie A.

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"Del Piero is the only one who I would've gone mad for," Ferguson told Tutto Juve last year. "After a match between United and Juventus, in which he destroyed half of our defence, Giggs and Neville came to me and asked me to buy him at all costs, because someone like him would've made us win everything for decades.

"And so I contact the Juve representatives, and the lad's agent. He refused even before listening to my proposal, telling me that Juve was the best place for him and, that while he respected Man United, he would never have been able to betray the black and white colours.

"A pity, because I never again saw someone like him. I courted him even just after Italy's World Cup win [in 2006]. In that time, Real Madrid were also after him and, given the issues around Juventus at the time, I imagined that between us at United and the 'galacticos', there would be a fair auction to get him.

"And so I called him directly: 'Alex, I'd like you at United', I said. 'You'll be the star of the squad, and together we'll win everything'. He laughed and replied: 'Sir, you know that nothing has changed from all those years ago. Juve are facing difficult times, and I have to help them. I can't be a coward'.

"In 2008, I saw him again and he greeted me with a hug. He apologised for refusing my offer. I put my hand on his shoulder and re-assured him, 'you wanted to save Juventus, and you did it'. When someone asks me what player I always wanted to train, but never got the chance, I always say: Alessandro Del Piero."

Ferguson's high praise for Del Piero is no mean feat when you consider the amount of superstars that the former United chief has worked with over the years.

Del Piero's loyalty to Juve saw him spend over 19 years in Turin before moving to Sydney FC in his twilight years.

The striker departed Italy as a bonafide Juve legend after netting 290 goals in 705 games in Italy.

After playing over 700 games for the Old Lady, Del Piero remains their record appearance holder - and it's hard to see it being beaten anytime soon.

As well as his domestic success with Juve, Del Piero also tasted success with his international exploits.

Del Piero was part of the Italy squad that won the World Cup in 2006 under Marcello Lippi after edging out France in a penalty shootout.

Along with that World Cup triumph, Del Piero also won six Serie A titles with Juve, as long as one Serie B title after he helped fire them back to the top flight.

It's easy to see why Ferguson regrets not being able to work with a player of Del Piero's calibre.

After spending a brief spell in Sydney, Del Piero had a short stint playing in the Indian Super League for the Delhi Dynamos before retiring in 2015.