I had a helicopter waiting at Manchester United - but could not talk Gareth Bale into signing

They say lightning doesn't strike twice. It might have done for Manchester United.

Ryan Giggs needs no introduction for his achievements at Old Trafford and beyond. As one of the most decorated British footballers in history, the talented Welshman won the lot - time and time again - in a glittering career which saw him tot-up what remains a club record 963 games in all competitions.

It's a tally that ought never be beaten. However, there was one compatriot who might have been able to emulate Giggs in the famous No.11 shirt but, try as they might, United were never quite able to tempt heir apparent Gareth Bale to pitch-up at Old Trafford despite three separate attempts to sign the swashbuckling winger.

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Aside from longevity, Bale put together a comparable CV to Giggs before hanging up his boots 12 months ago. He won three La Liga titles and five Champions League medals at Real Madrid - combining with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema for one of the most menacing and prolific attacking trios the sport has ever seen.

However, the ex-Southampton and Tottenham star never got the adulation he deserved in Spain's capital. Coming to United - depending on when - would have guaranteed him plenty of trophies and love to go with it.

"I wanted him to be my first signing at Manchester United," said David Moyes in an interview with eirSport in 2019. "We came close, spoke to him, but he had his heart set on Real Madrid, and we couldn't talk him out of it. That was a real disappointment because I saw him as a Manchester United-type player."

He was not the only one. Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho also attempted to