Ferguson has Di Canio regrets

Alex Ferguson has reflected on Manchester United’s barren season and reiterated his regret at missing out on Paolo di Canio.

Ferguson had been keen to sign the fiery Italian striker from West Ham back in January, but was forced to pull the plug on the deal when Dwight Yorke refused to join Middlesbrough.

The United boss still rues his failure to land di Canio and feels he would have brought an extra dimension to the Reds attack.

Ferguson also took a swipe at Yorke over his refusal to leave and claims he must be regretting that decision now.

The Old Trafford chief certainly made Yorke pay and the former Trinidad and Tobago striker has not played for the Reds since.

‘‘I was very, very keen,’’ he said on MUTV. ‘‘I think Paolo’s one of the best players in the Premier League.

‘‘I think he would have been a fantastic player to bring in at that time because Diego Forlan was young. He would have added that little bit extra because he’s a fantastic player.

‘‘I wanted that extra player with experience, like Paolo, who would have given us a terrific lift, but it didn’t materialise because I couldn’t sell Dwight Yorke.

‘‘Dwight wouldn’t go to Middlesbrough, which is something I’m sure he regrets now.

‘‘Between him and his agent they asked for a terrible amount of money, which Steve McClaren quite rightly wasn’t prepared to pay.

‘‘That deal floundered and the Paolo di Canio deal also floundered.’’