Gazza told Ferguson he would join United from Newcastle in 1988, but as the Scottish boss went on holiday, the England star changed his mind and joined Tottenham in a £2million deal.
Gazza has revealed that he pleaded in vain with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to sign him after his spell with Lazio.
“I knew I wasn’t going there,” he told the Daily Express. “You only mess with Sir Alex once.
“I was fortunate to play under Terry Venables, Bobby Robson and Walter Smith. I didn’t get to work with Sir Alex Ferguson and it’s a massive regret. I would have loved to have been managed by him.”
“He talked to me but wouldn’t sign me,” Gascoigne explained. “I asked him to but he was deciding whether Eric Cantona was staying at the time. Cantona stayed, so fair enough.
“But I just knew that I wasn’t going there, even if Cantona had left. You only mess with Sir Alex once.
“I did once go to the training ground and he showed me round and we had a chat. He is a great man. I am just glad he forgave me eventually for not signing for United that first time, but it took him six years to speak to me again.”
