Ferguson regrets missing Guardiola chance as McTominay eyes United return

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he regrets not meeting Pep Guardiola sooner in 2012, suggesting an earlier dinner could have convinced the Spaniard to succeed him at Manchester United rather than join rivals Manchester City. The revelation comes from Ferguson’s new book, Games of My Life.

Ferguson met Guardiola for dinner in New York in 2012, the year before he retired, but by that point Guardiola had already committed to a move to Bayern Munich. In the book, the legendary manager reflects on what might have been: “Over the past ten years, I have often wondered what might have happened if the dinner I had with Pep in New York in 2012 had taken place a couple of months earlier.”

“If I could rewind time, we would have dined some months earlier, I would have poured plenty of Tignanello and I would have tried my hardest to convince him that his future lay in Manchester,” Ferguson wrote. “Unfortunately for us, it did. Enough said.”

Guardiola went on to win the Bundesliga with Bayern before joining City in 2016, where he has since become one of the most decorated managers in Premier League history.

On the pitch, United face Tottenham at Old Trafford this weekend under Michael Carrick, with Carlos Baleba potentially in line for his debut. The midfielder joined from Brighton for £70 million but has been sidelined by injury, making the matchday squad against Fulham without featuring in the 1-1 draw. Saturday’s fixture against Spurs could provide his first minutes in United colours — and a reunion with his former manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Separately, Scott McTominay has emerged as a surprise transfer target for his former club. The Scotland international left United two years ago and has thrived at Napoli, winning the Serie A title and becoming a key figure in the Italian side. However, Sky Sports Switzerland has reported that McTominay could leave as early as January, with United among the clubs making enquiries. Aston Villa and Real Madrid have also been credited with interest, and McTominay’s representatives are said to be in talks with several Premier League clubs.

Reports from Italy suggest McTominay has instructed his camp to explore a new contract with Napoli, meaning any potential departure is far from certain at this stage.