Seven players Sir Alex Ferguson tried and failed to sign

Raiola was Pogba’s representative when the midfielder quit United in favour of a contract at Juventus in 2012, since when the France global has established himself as one of the world’s most in-demand players.

Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson says that he refused to allow Wayne Rooney to be paid more than him during a contract stand-off with the striker in 2010.

In my book there are only two world-class players playing today: “Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo”, Ferguson said.

In his new book Leading, Ferguson blamed super-agent Raiola for Pogba’s Red Devils departure in 2012. I’m happy for people to criticise me but he still doesn’t understand who Pogba really is and that maybe he quit (United) at the right time. In fact, coming from him it’s a compliment. “He had been consistent in his job at Everton, had a good spell there, 11 years, and showed appetite”, Ferguson wrote.

‘If I was looking after my own interests, I’d have tried to convince Pogba to stay in Manchester, to safeguard the relationship with United for future business.

“I don’t have a bad memory of Ferguson”.

Ferguson’s view has even sparked a debate around what exactly makes a player “world class”. I’ll keep the truth to myself.

The Italy global was seen as a wonderkid when he emerged from the Inter youth squad back in the day, but had trouble on and off the field during his time with the Nerazzurri.

To that effect, Ferguson seems to be laying the blame for United’s poor 2013/14 season firmly on Moyes, which was the same stance he took a year ago in an update for his autobiography. “Ferguson never believed in Pogba and Juventus did”.

On Monday during a debate alongside co-author Sir Michael Moritz, Fergie, 73, spilled the beans on plenty of his feelings since he retired in 2013, including how managers must “win” press conferences. According to Ferguson, Mino was one of the few agents he personally did not like.

‘I distrusted him from the moment I met him, ‘ Ferguson said.