England cult hero Paul Gascoigne revealed that he tried to climb under the skin of one Manchester United legend by engaging in psychological warfare on the pitch.
Paul Gascoigne had a prolific playing career at club level and on the international stage and he is widely considered one of the best British players of all time.
Sir Alex Ferguson was a big admirer of the 57-year-old England legend and famously tried to bring Gascoigne to Old Trafford in the 1980s from Newcastle.
However, the legendary former United manager’s attempts to sign ‘Gazza’ were thwarted when Gascoigne made a U-turn and signed for Tottenham in 1998.
Gascoigne lifted an FA Cup during his spell with Tottenham before he left Spurs in 1992 and signed for Italian side Lazio.
The former Spurs ace made a lasting mark on the international stage with England, including his scintillating influence during the Three Lions’ campaign at Euro 96.
Despite his incredible talent and cult-like status, Gazza’s playing career was plagued by his struggles on and off the pitch, including his battle with alcoholism.
Gascoigne’s influence waned later in his career and the ex-Lazio and Newcastle star had brief spells at the likes of Everton, Burnley, Gansu Tianma and Boston United.
What Gascoigne said to Man Utd legend for 90 minutes
Sir Alex Ferguson has previously admitted that his biggest regret was that he never had the chance to manage Paul Gascoigne at Manchester United.
The 82-year-old Scotsman waxed lyrical about the former Tottenham player’s ability and Gascoigne has held United legend Ferguson in high admiration as well.
Speaking to Jamie Redknapp for The Daily Mail, Gascoigne admitted that he wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to torment his opponents on the pitch.
‘Gazza’ recalled one occasion when he crossed paths with Roy Keane when he was the “new kid on the block” and went after him verbally for 90 minutes.
The former Three Lions star told United legend Roy Keane that he was his “worst nightmare” in the tunnel even before they stepped out on the pitch.
“Years ago, when I played against Roy Keane, they were saying he was the new kid on the block,” Gascoigne told the newspaper in 2021.
“In the tunnel, I went to Keane, ‘Welcome to your worst nightmare.’ I talked to him for 90 minutes. I was saying, ‘I’m going out with ya wife.’ He said, ‘I’m not married.’
“I said, ‘Aye, she’s there in the stands.’ He’d look up and I’d just go off with the ball.”
Gascoigne reveals Keane’s reaction
Gascoigne added that Roy Keane, who is regarded as one of United’s best captains of all time, was left reeling from how much he was talked to in the match.
“He went to the newspapers afterwards, ‘Thank God that game’s over, I’ve never been talked to so much in my life,’” ‘Gazza’ told Jamie Redknapp.
“I’d talk and talk and talk. ‘How are you doing? Where you from? What you doing tonight? What you doing tomorrow?’
“One guy came face to face for an argument, so I grabbed him and gave him the biggest kiss. That ruined the rest of his game. The fans were laughing at him.”
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