Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is regretting not pulling the trigger on a bid for Tottenham ace Gareth Bale earlier this year.
Bale has been one the Premier League's players of the year.
He inspired Tottenham's qualification for the Champions League and then shot to European fame with two superb displays against Inter Milan.
The Daily Express says Manchester United considered a £20million bid for Bale, 21, last summer and he is now worth double that figure, with Real Madrid and Manchester City among a long list of admirers.
Bale said: "It has been a great year but all I have done is concentrate hard and improve my game. I just want to keep going and keep improving.
"I'll keep working hard on and off the pitch and just concentrate on putting in the performances for Tottenham. If I can keep helping the team, that is the best thing that can happen."
