Sir Alex Ferguson ended up going against the idea of signing one former Manchester United target who later became a Premier League Hall of Fame inductee.
The 83-year-old Manchester United legend is widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time after a remarkable career in England and Scotland.
Sir Alex Ferguson enjoyed incredible silverware success with Aberdeen during the late 1970s and 1980s before the Red Devils landed him in 1986.
The legendary Scotsman overcame an initial tough period with United before ushering in a dominant period over English football with the Red Devils.
During his time in the Old Trafford dugout, Ferguson engineered all 13 of United’s Premier League title wins during his illustrious 26-year reign.
The former United manager’s silverware haul with the Premier League club also included two Champions League trophies, five FA Cups and four League Cups.
Ferguson bowed out of management at the end of the 2012-13 campaign after United lifted their last Premier League title under the iconic Scot.
Ferguson’s missed transfer signing
Sir Alex Ferguson was well-known for the remarkable signings he made at Manchester United, including the likes of Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, even the former Aberdeen and United manager endured his low points in the transfer window through missed targets and flop players that he signed.
Ferguson made the decision to travel to Celtic Park in 2003 to watch one former player in action for Belgian side Anderlecht in the Champions League.
Celtic secured a 3-1 win over Anderlecht in Glasgow and Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany was on the losing side, with Ferguson keeping a close eye on him.
Vincent Kompany returned to Celtic Park on Wednesday as Bayern Munich manager and the German side secured a 2-1 win in Glasgow in the Champions League.
Speaking to reporters after the last-16 play-off match, the 38-year-old Bayern Munich boss opened up about Ferguson not signing him as a player.
“It’s not a nostalgic return,” Kompany said, as per Goal.
“I’m coming back as a coach, not a player. I don’t want to bring in too much nostalgia, but it was great.
“I remember Sir Alex Ferguson was there to watch me. If I’d played well, maybe he would’ve made an offer for me.
“But I’m glad I ended up at the blue side of Manchester. As a player, you look forward to moments like this, no matter how tough they are.
“Celtic have a great home record, but that just increases our appetite for games like this.”
Kompany’s success at Man City after Ferguson snub
Vincent Kompany is regarded as one of the best Premier League defenders of all time and enjoyed incredible success with United’s crosstown rivals.
The former Manchester City defender left Anderlecht in 2006 and signed for German side Hamburger before the Premier League club came knocking in 2008.
Kompany lifted four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four League Cups with City and he made 360 appearances for the Red Devils’ rivals.
The ex-City captain left the Etihad in 2019 and returned to Anderlecht to see out the remainder of his playing career before transitioning into management.
The former Belgium international, who became Bayern Munich manager last summer, was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2022.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/Uzmx9nB