Sir Alex Ferguson admits he does
think what might have been had he signed Ronaldinho in summer
2003.
The Brazilian superstar looked all set for a move to Old Trafford
until he was suddenly unveiled as a Barcelona player at Camp
Nou.
It is still not known why the transfer collapsed, but Ferguson
insists every cloud has a silver lining, in this case the arrival
of Cristiano Ronaldo.
"I do think what might have been when I look at Ronaldinho," said
Ferguson.
"We thought the agreement with him was done until some events
changed the course of history.
"But the good thing about Manchester United is that the club does
not stop just because one player says 'no', or we fail to get
him.
"We thought we had Paul Gascoigne but he changed his mind and went
to Tottenham, so we signed Paul Ince and he was fantastic for
us.
"Likewise, we tried to get David Hurst and Alan Shearer and ended
up with Eric Cantona. What can I say about that?
"Something always turns up. Football is amazing like that. We did
not get Ronaldinho but out of that came Cristiano Ronaldo."
Meanwhile, Ferguson has refuted suggestions he is ready to bring an
end to his illustrious career as United manager and be replaced by
Marcello Lippi.
"I know some people want to get rid of me - but they won't," he
laughed. "A lot of people have been talking about my successor but
they will have to put up with me for a while yet.
"I have a couple of years left in me. I have a bit of time. When
you are fit and healthy that is the only thing you can think of. If
you are not, that is a different issue."
Ferguson and Lippi will come face-to-face at Old Trafford on
Tuesday when a Manchester United XI take on a European Select XI in
a game to mark United's entry into Europe 50 years ago and the
Treaty or Rome.
