Teddy Sheringham admitted that he was surprised that Manchester United did not sign two “top players” that would have piqued the interest of Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Manchester United legend enjoyed his own incredible success at Old Trafford under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson during his time as a Red Devils player.
Teddy Sheringham was a key part of the famous United team that captured a treble in 1999, including scoring in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.
Ferguson brought the 58-year-old former Red Devils striker to Old Trafford in 1997 after he was signed from Tottenham in a £3.5m deal.
During his time at Old Trafford, Sheringham lifted three Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy and an FA Cup with United.
The former England and United striker scored 46 times in 153 matches for the Red Devils before he made his return to Tottenham in 2001.
Sheringham on two missed Man Utd transfers
Teddy Sheringham appeared on Football’s Greatest podcast alongside Joe Cole and Ashley Cole and he opened up on Manchester United’s mishandling of transfers.
The United legend highlighted that the Red Devils failed to land the likes of Harry Kane and Declan Rice when they both became available in the transfer market.
Harry Kane was linked with United after he made his desire clear to leave Tottenham and the England captain went on to complete a move to Bayern Munich in 2023.
Declan Rice made a sensational impact at West Ham and United, much like they were with Bayern Munich striker Kane, were one of the clubs linked with the player.
However, the 25-year-old England midfielder left the Hammers and completed a sensational transfer to United’s rivals Arsenal in 2023.
“They’ve spent so much money on good players and good players are good, but when you’re talking about Manchester United, you need top players,” Sheringham said.
“Over the last two years, Harry Kane and Declan Rice both became available.
“Top players, [led] by example, proven players week in, week out, great professional players and they were nowhere near signing them.
“They let Harry go to Bayern Munich, they weren’t in the frame to get Arsenal away from signing Declan Rice.”
Sheringham talks Ferguson and Man Utd transfers
Sheringham was deeply critical that failing to land players like Harry Kane and Declan Rice was in complete contrast to what Sir Alex Ferguson would have done.
Ferguson, who stepped down as United manager and retired in 2013, was well-known for bringing the best in class to Old Trafford and enjoyed a lot of success.
“When those top players became available in Sir Alex Ferguson’s years, he went out and bought them… Gary Pallister, Roy Keane, Paul Ince, Wayne Rooney, he went out and got these top players,” Sheringham added.
“He said, ‘You’re coming to play for me now, you ain’t going anywhere else in the country, you’re coming to play for Manchester United because you’re one of the best,’ but it’s not happening now.
“They’ve got to get back on that road of signing top players who lead by example.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/871HZyM