Man Utd Xi Sir Alex Ferguson almost signed

Iconic Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson missed signing the legendary player during his 27-year stint at Old Trafford.

Ferguson’s best signature as Man UTD manager

The Scots had many successes with the Red Devils from November 1986 to May 2013, transforming United into one of the most successful clubs in the world.

Not only did he showcase Carrington’s best talents, including David Beckham, Paul Shoals, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Gary Neville, but Gary Neville, known as the 92′ class, also made a great addition in the transfer market.

In the attack, he signed Eric Cantona, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, but in the middle he brought in longtime Captain Roy Keene. Behind them, goalkeepers Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sarl were incredible under Ferguson. Also defenders Steve Bruce, Jap Stam, Rio Ferdinand, Nemaja Vizic and Patrice Evra.

However, it may have been even better for the Scottian during his time at Old Trafford after approaching signing this XI, made up of iconic footballers since the 1990s.

1

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech

He was the target of Man UTD and Ferguson before Petr Cech moved to Chelsea and won four Premier League titles at Stamford Bridge.

Still a teenager at League One side Rennes, Ferguson opposed the move, and Check went down as one of the greatest goalkeepers the top fight has seen in the Blues.

Ferguson said: “I went to see Petre Czech when he was in Rennes. He was 19 at the time. I told myself, ‘He’s too young.’ ”

2

RB: Philip Larm

German icon Philip Lahm never played in England, but if Ferguson had his way, the versatile right-back would have been for the Red Devils.

Former Bavaria Munich coach Hermann Garland once said: “It wasn’t easy to arrange, but in Stuttgart, Philippe was able to play in the Champions League. Three months later, he was the best player on the field against Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson wanted him in the UK.

3

CB: Paolo Mardini

Paolo Maldini, arguably one of the biggest defenders of all time, was sought by Man Wood, and Ferguson spoke to his Italian father.

Ferguson said: “But I tried it. But when I met his father, he was very formidable. I shook my head.

4

CB: Vincent Kompany

Man City legend Vincent Company had a Ferguson wishlist centre-back top in 2004 on Manchester’s redside easy.

However, the movement did not progress, and four years later, Company moved to Etihad, where he won four Premier League titles.

5

LB: Bixente Lizarazu

They targeted French left-back Bixente Lizarazu, one of the best at the time, as Man UTD searched to replace Old Trafford’s Dennis Irwin.

He was a Bayern Munich player at the time, and the German giants refused to sell Lizaraz together with Ferguson.

Lizarazu said: “I think I had a chance to go to Manchester United in 2001 or 2002, but it stopped very quickly as Bayern said No was eager to sign me and United talked with Bayern, but Bayern said there was no doubt I would leave.”

6

CM: Zinedine Zidane

Ferguson had the opportunity to sign French legend Zinedine Zidane before moving to Juventus in 1996, but he remained loyal to Eric Cantona.

The boss felt there was no room for both Zidane and Cantona, but looking back, Ferguson might have wanted him to make room for the French duo.

Former Chairman Martin Edwards once said: “When Zidane was in Bordeaux, Chief Scout Les Kershaw said we should be interested in him, so I mentioned that to Alex. Alex said Eric also mentioned him, but Alex felt that Zidane played in the same position as Eric.

“After the Crystal Palace incident (Cantona was banned for eight months due to a kung fu kick), I went to France to persuade him to re-sign, so I felt he stuck with Eric as he brought Zidane and influenced his position.”

7

CM: Paul Gascoin

A year after Ferguson’s Man UTD tenure, he remains broken after missing out on Paul Gascoine’s service.

The talented midfielder appeared to be heading for Old Trafford on his way out of Newcastle before Tottenham came in and hijacked the transfer. The Spurs even bought Gazza’s parents a new home that might have shaken up the movement.

8

RW: Arjen Robben

Tricky Dutch winger Argen Robben eventually moved to the Premier League with Chelsea, but after having dinner with Ferguson and being shown around the Mann UTD facility, he could have done it before.

Robben said: “We had a very good conversation with (Ferguson) over dinner in Manchester. We talked about football and life. We also looked at the training grounds and everything was good.”

He admitted that he signed the Red Devils there, but no offer was made.

9

LW: Ronaldinho

Towards the peak of his power in 2003, Ronaldinho may have traded Paris Saint-Germain for humans.

The Brazilian icon moved to Barcelona instead, with Ferguson claiming that former chief Peter Kenyon had not been able to get a deal for Ronaldinho.

“There was a problem with his brother, his agent. But Peter Kenyon, the CEO at the time, didn’t get the job done.”

10

ST: Robert Lewandowski

In 2012, Man Utd was about to sign Robert Lewandowski after two impressive seasons at Borussia Dortmund.

However, despite the Polish scoring machine being enthusiastic about the movement, Dortmund was not that great, so the Red Devils signed Robin Van Persy instead.

Lewandowski said: “After my second year at 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.”