Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that he failed “several times” to sign a “very talented player” who was Arsene Wenger’s “biggest” sale regret.
Sir Alex Ferguson bowed out of Old Trafford in 2013 for the final time as a manager after leading Manchester United to their last Premier League title.
The 82-year-old iconic Scot made a long-lasting impact in both England and Scotland, with Ferguson considered one of the best managers of all time.
During his prolific spell in the Old Trafford dugout, Ferguson lifted 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, five FA Cups and four League Cups.
The legendary former United manager was known for bringing the best in class to the Red Devils and had a star-studded roster of talent in his teams of the past.
Ferguson ushered in a period of dominance for United in England’s top-flight league, but he found a worthy adversary when Arsene Wenger first arrived at Arsenal.
Wenger managed Japanese side Nagoya Grampus before he arrived at the Gunners in 1996, with the Frenchman going on to fiercely challenge United legend Ferguson.
During his time at the Emirates, the 74-year-old legendary former Arsenal boss led the Gunners to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups.
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Wenger and Ferguson had a heated rivalry when they managed Arsenal and United respectively, which resulted in exhilarating matches between their teams.
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Ferguson tried to sign Wenger’s biggest sale regret
Sir Alex Ferguson enjoyed both the highs and lows in the transfer market during his illustrious reign as Manchester United boss.
The former Aberdeen and United manager snapped up world-class talent for the Red Devils, including Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
However, Ferguson also had his shortcomings in the transfer window and missed out on bringing different legendary former players to Old Trafford.
Ferguson, who later revealed one ex-player he wished that he coached, was a big admirer of a former footballer that Arsene Wenger had managed at Arsenal.
Nicolas Anelka returned to England again in 2006 and was playing for Bolton Wanderers after spells at the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid.
Despite being lauded widely for his talent, the 45-year-old French former striker was seen as the ‘ultimate football mercenary’ and played for a lot of clubs in his career.
Former England manager Sam Allardyce was leading Bolton Wanderers at the time when Anelka was signed for a club-record transfer fee at the time of £8m.
Ferguson admitted that he was a big admirer of the Frenchman and failed to sign him amid United being linked with the former player in 2007.
“We have tried to buy Anelka several times,” he said at the time, as per Sky Sports.
“He is a very talented player. You always assess players with pace and ability to score and he comes into that category, and has done throughout his career.”
Ferguson added: “Sam [Allardyce] showed great faith in bringing him to Bolton because he had been around a few clubs before that.
“But, for the first time, he seems to be feeling very settled and happy, which is important for a player like Anelka.
“Sam took the risk and it has worked. Bolton are getting their dividends and Anelka seems to have found the right club for himself in terms of enjoying the environment and the training.”
What did Wenger say about ex-Man Utd target Anelka?
Anelka started his senior playing career at PSG before Arsenal managed to land the highly rated former striker in 1997 for a fee believed to be £500,000.
The ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star was only 17 at the time he arrived in England and was Wenger’s first official signing as Gunners boss.
Anelka was limited to only four Premier League appearances in his debut season at Arsenal, but he had a turn in fortunes in the following season for the Gunners.
A long-term injury to Arsenal legend Ian Wright allowed Anelka to establish in the 1997-98 season before impressing in the 1998-99 campaign for Wenger.
Anelka scored an impressive 17 times in 35 Premier League appearances for Arsenal in the 1998-99 season, with the Frenchman finishing as top scorer for the club.
However, the former France international’s spell at Arsenal came to an end in 1999 after he signed for Real Madrid, despite Wenger’s desire to keep him.
Anelka, who was signed by Los Blancos in a £22.3m deal, famously hit out at the British media and claimed it was one of the reasons why he wanted to leave England in 1999.
Speaking at a charity event in 2021 alongside former Arsenal co-owner and vice-chairman David Dein, Wenger said (via The Daily Mirror): “My biggest regret and shame is that Anelka left.
“He could have been special, instead he played for 13 clubs.”
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