Sir Alex Ferguson: Tottenham star Bale could have joined Manchester United

Jan 20, 2013 9:45:00 AM

The 71-year-old manager reveals that he tried to buy the young Wales international from Southampton but the Saints rejected the deal and the winger joined Spurs weeks later

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he tried to sign Tottenham star Gareth Bale when the Welshman was at Southampton but the south coast club rejected Manchester United's offer and the winger - now a £60 million (€71m) target for Real Madrid - joined Spurs weeks later.

The Wales international has dazzled at White Hart Lane since signing in 2007, winning the PFA Player of the Year award in 2010-11 and attracting interest from Los Blancos with nine Premier League goals from the left wing already this season.

And, while Sir Alex admits that he would have liked to bring Bale to United, he says it is simply part and parcel of the game to miss out on certain players - adding that his side are more than ready for an important clash against Spurs on Sunday afternoon.


MANCHESTER UNITED LATEST
19/5	William Hill offer 19/5 for Gareth Bale to score but Man Utd to beat Tottenham

"We tried to buy [Bale] from Southampton and they turned us down," the Scot told the Sunday People. "It was not the boy who turned us down, it was Southampton, then a few weeks later he signed for Tottenham.

"It happens. You don't get them all. As I said before, we would have loved to have got [Paul] Gascoigne but we didn't - but we did get Paul Ince and he was a great player for us. These things happen."

Sir Alex has warned his United players they must beware of the pace in Tottenham's side as they look to re-establish their seven-point advantage over defending champions Manchester City. He believes that the meeting at White Hart Lane is crucial in terms of momentum in the title race.

"We know that Bale and [Aaron] Lennon have got pace, [Jermain] Defoe has pace, [Mousa] Dembele is a good footballer," the Red Devils boss added. "It is straightforward – we have to perform but it's been a good ground for us in the past.

"It's an important game because this is a period of the season that if we can keep our momentum going, we have got home games against Everton and Southampton in the next few weeks. These are really big opportunities for us."

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Inside Goal.Com

Real Madrid are better off without Mourinho
The Portuguese's position had become untenable in recent weeks, especially after Friday's debacle in the Copa del Rey. Now he's leaving, but the club can grow stronger without him
AVB, Levy & Lewis to thrash out Tottenham plans
After missing out on a place in the Champions League, the north London side are devising a way to keep Gareth Bale at the club and attract new stars to White Hart Lane
Bayern's jinx - CL final referee Nicola Rizzoli
Goal takes a look at the career of the Italian arbiter to date following Uefa's decision to appoint the 41-year-old for Saturday's showpiece at Wembley
Cartoon: Casillas' birthday wish comes true
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day
Goal's Serie A awards for 2012-13
Goal crowns the best and worst from Italy over the course of the season