Manchester United news: Sir Alex Ferguson reveals greatest regret of his Old Trafford career

Govan-born Ferguson wishes he could have led his side to a Champions League final in his home city of Glasgow

Ferguson on the pitch at the BayArena ahead of the 2002 semi-final (Getty)

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that failing to reach the 2002 Champions League final in Glasgow with Manchester United is his career’s greatest regret.

The Scot’s side were eliminated on the away goals rule at the semi-final stage by Bayer Leverkusen, who went on to be beaten by Real Madrid at Hampden Park.

Ferguson, born in Glasgow’s Govan district, now looks back on that time and wishes he could have won his second European Cup in his home city.

"The one I really regret was not taking Manchester United to the final in 2002,” he said at the launch of Glasgow’s Euro 2020 logo on Tuesday.

"The whole build-up [in 2002] was about taking Manchester United back to the final [at Hampden Park] in Glasgow, but we lost to Bayer Leverkusen in the semi-final.

"We were a wee bit unlucky, we ran out of time. The referee couldn't understand my time and his time!

"I always guard against complacency. It's a disease. But, in the build-up to Hampden that season, David Gill said, 'I think you should go up to Glasgow and check out hotels because you know better than any of us.'

"On the drive back down, I said, 'I don't like it. I should never have done this.' We lost the semi-final. But that's life."

Denis Irwin and Roy Keane trudge off the pitch after United's semi-final defeat to Leverkusen in 2002 (Getty)

There was a sense of expectancy around Old Trafford ahead of the 2002 final, given its location in Ferguson’s native city.

Supporters sang “Follow, follow, follow, ‘cos United are going to Glasgow” throughout a campaign which was initially expected to be Ferguson’s last with the club.

Ferguson had announced that he would retire at the end of the 2001/02 season but reneged on his decision in the February of that year, ultimately staying on for a further 11 years.

The Scot’s second Champions League triumph eventually came in 2008, when United beat Chelsea on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Moscow.