Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claims his only regret
over the Carlos Tevez affair is that he did not sign the striker 12
months ago.
Tevez finally completed his protracted transfer to United on Friday
afternoon, a year after Ferguson was first alerted to his
availability.
At the time, United shied away from doing a deal as there were too
many uncertainties over the way it would be structured.
Subsequent events proved the stance to be wholly sensible. However,
as he watched Tevez inspire West Ham's late-season survival surge,
just as his own side were struggling to sustain a Treble challenge
with an injury-ravaged squad, Ferguson could not help thinking what
might have been.
"In his year at West Ham, Tevez proved himself to be an absolutely
top player," reflected Ferguson.
"Every time I saw him playing for West Ham last year, I thought to
myself, I just wish we had done it last year.
"But there were too many complications at the time."
Instead, Ferguson made Tevez one of four summer signings, splashing
out £50million on Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson within weeks
of United clinching their ninth Premier League title.
His rapid recruiting mission meant Ferguson could enjoy a
worry-free summer holiday for once, convinced he had got the right
men at the right time.
"I think the four signings will be good ones," he said.
"We knew Hargreaves was going to happen for a long time. We hoped
it would be last June, then January but we finally got it done in
May.
"Nani and Anderson were quick decisions.
"We saw an opening regarding their contracts and weren't prepared
to wait.
"Anderson broke his leg last year but if we had let him start the
season after his broken leg, everyone would have been after
him."