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Updated: 20/02/2012 14:08 | By ESPN staff, www.espn.co.uk

Fergie regrets missing out on £100,000 Hart



Joe Hart celebrates a clean sheet, England v Spain, International friendly, Wembley Stadium, November 12, 2011

Joe Hart has become a key figure for Manchester City and England

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he made a mistake in failing to sign goalkeeper Joe Hart for £100,000 when he had the chance.

Hart has become a key part of Manchester City's Premier League title charge this season, after United's arch-rivals initially paid Shrewsbury Town around £600,000 to sign him while still a teenager back in 2006.

Ferguson has now revealed he had the chance to capture the shot-stopper even before that, a missed opportunity the Scot now regrets as Hart has gone on to prove himself arguably the brightest English goalkeeping talent of the last 20 years.

United, meanwhile, have had issues with the No. 1 position this season - as £20 million summer signing David De Gea has struggled to settle and understudy Anders Lindegaard has recently been sidelined through injury.

"I could have bought Joe Hart for £100,000 so we all make mistakes," Ferguson told the BBC.

He added: "If you look at the England goalkeeper situation for the last 20 years, I would think he's easily the best."

In a wide-ranging interview that also touched on his favourite music, 70-year-old Ferguson confirmed that he still believes he has another two or three years left as manager of United - intimating that if his health remains he will only leave Old Trafford when the time is right.

"I think you always want to go out on a winning note," he added. "Hopefully we can do that.

"I don't know how long I can last now but if my health stays up I don't think another two or three years would harm me."

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30Comments
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For all the greatness SAF has brought to our club, this is the one position that has been difficult for him. Peter Schmeichel been the exception. With Van der sar, he was already proven.   In respect to Hart i will say (and this is difficult, lol) he is one of the finest keepers i've seen in world football for a long time, and i can only see him getting better.
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A really great goalie sure to be like the great Gordon Banks.
20/02/2012 21:01
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Funny how everyone bar Mancini thinks he is world class, As a MU supporter i am surprised Mancini doesn't  give Joe the credit he deserves.

20/02/2012 21:38
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hope  De Gea don't read these pages.....he`s just started to gain his confidence and in my opinion stopped us getting beat at Chelsea...stopped Liverpool getting a draw an a solid game with Ajax..and he`s still playing behind a below strength and changing back four......given time he`s going to be good
20/02/2012 17:30
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Great keeper who will never play for Man utd
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Just goes to show...even the greats can make slips. Then again......Giggs was on City's books as a schoolboy. SAF turned up at his home on the morning of his 16th birthday with a contract to sign while City were still dithering about signing him. I can still remember being on holiday in the West Country when I went to see England schoolboys (with Giggs in the team) play at Yeovil Towns ground.  The rest is history.
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hart could still end up at old trafford if he ever wants to play for a big club, he will stay at city though if he is motivated by money.

City fans won't like it but the fact is they are an average size rich club, nowhere near the super clubs like ac milan, man u, barca etc

20/02/2012 21:35
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A little patience may well unfold one of the best goalkeepers from as far as our memories can stretch and we will witness in many years to come. I have seen great signs in De Gea to proclaim him to be that goalkeeper. His problem is just to adapt within little time to the style of the premier league. Also the back four ahead of him must be super so as to present a near impenetrable shield. The amount it cost to buy him will take back stage.
20/02/2012 23:29
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Joe Hart is a great keeper, but for united, they don't need him, de gea  has made some fantastic saves, some world class, he is young and very young for a goalie, he has years to mature, he stopped liverpool from getting level at old trafford, and more games iv seen him play, he's got the flair of some super keepers, may i say it GORDON  BANKS, he has all the traits of that great keeper, give him time

and thats from a pool fan

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I agree De Gea is showing good confidence at the moment Malcom, and I hope in a few years time I can be saying the same thing about him, I see good agility in him.  I think strength is  his weakness  but lets not forget he's still very young in keeper terms.  Building body strength to fast can damage his agility, so we need our defenders to help out in this department for now.
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My point is, I think your been a bit harsh on a keeper who's playing his first season in England, I've already said his strength is his problem( ie corners). And lets be honest here, who was it JH was replacing there........  Oh yes David James. At age 22 when JH was on loan at Birmingham is when most people realised he might have something special.  
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Well all i can say is at least I didn't allow my dislike for another club get in the way of my opinion of a player.   I think some people should remember that De Gea came from spain were shot stopping was his main job, and lets not forget how well he did for spain under 21's.  I think certain people should think back to were Hart was when he was 21.
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salford steves a carrot cruncher then ooh arrr the red worzel gummage
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In fact I remember them banging on about Casper more than Joe. 
20/02/2012 17:20
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ooo aarr you should've stayed down there Steve
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rather be a carrot cruncher....which Im not....than sit in a burger van all day.
uk buyer.......did you not realise stories and threads can evolve into discussing something different, but within a similar subject?  You above all others should realise that. After all, we all chat on here about football, but you come on here talking sh*t on a regular basis.

20/02/2012 22:49
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dutch keepers have seemed to do well at man utd in the last 10 years or so the other top form one is timmy krul a free into newcastle if the money is right cashley (mr sports direct) he will be on his way.
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