Family loyalty prevented Italy great Paolo Maldini from moving to Manchester United from AC Milan, according to Alex Ferguson.
Two towering figures of football’s modern era, Maldini won seven Serie A titles and five European titles during a 25-year Milan career, while Ferguson’s 13 Premier League crowns and two Champions League triumphs established United as a dominant force at home and abroad.
Speaking at the launch event for the International Champions Cup in New York, Ferguson spoke on stage alongside Maldini and said his father – former Italy boss Cesare – gave the prospect of the all-time great left-back moving to Old Trafford short shrift.
“I did try [to sign Maldini] but when I met his father he was quite formidable, I got a shake of the head,” Ferguson explained in a light-hearted exchange.
“He said, ‘My grandfather is Milan, my father is, I am Milan, my sons are Milan. Forget it’.”
Ferguson bowed out having secured his final Premier League title at the end of the 2012-13 season and concedes to still missing the thrill of the big occasion.
“I must admit, I miss the big games – the cup finals. They are fantastic,” he said.
“The year after I retired, I went to the Atletico Madrid versus Real Madrid final and I said to [his wife] Cathy, ‘these are the games’.
“It turns inside your stomach for an hour before the game. When the players are out for their warm-up, you’re on your own.
“You’re looking for someone to talk to, you just can’t wait for the game to start. The excitement is boiling up in you and I really miss that.”
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