Ferguson: Gascoigne was the one that got away

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson believes Paul Gascoigne is the only world-class player England have produced since 1966.

Scotsman Ferguson, 70, said Gascoigne has been ‘the one real star that England have produced’ since winning the World Cup more than 45 years ago.

Gascoigne was heavily linked with a move to United prior to his departure from Newcastle United in 1988, and Ferguson feels he could have made a difference to the gifted midfielder’s career trajectory had he not joined Tottenham.

“I would have liked to have signed Gascoigne, I’d have loved to have got Gascoigne,” Ferguson told BBC Radio 5.

“He played against us up at Newcastle, he’d be out of the team for weeks, and they were down the bottom.”

“We went there Easter Monday, and he was starting to get (recognised). We’d known that because we’d scouted him and thought ‘Gascoigne’s the man’, and we couldn’t get near him, honestly it was unbelievable.”

“I wish I’d have got him, I maybe could have done something with him. If you look at English football since say 1966 when they won the World Cup, you’d have to say Gascoigne’s been the one real world star that England have produced.”

“I know Wayne Rooney’s coming hopefully towards that, and once he gets the maturity.”

Ferguson, reportedly nearing the age at which he will consider retirement, said he was yet to address the issue of his potential successor with the United hierarchy.

“No, never discussed (a shortlist),” he said.

“It’s a dangerous game that.”

“At this moment in time there are maybe half a dozen managers doing very well in the Premier division. Only half a dozen because all the rest are fighting for their lives.”

“Some are doing great jobs with the resources they’ve got. (David Moyes) unbelievable, unbelievable. What he’s done at Everton is quite miraculous really.”

“As we speak today, is that going to be the same in two years’ time when I’m ready to quit?”

“You can bet your life that some of them will have lost their job. So trying to anticipate that they’re doing well at the moment but will they in two years’ time?”

“We need to have someone experience, no doubt.”