Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson envies Manchester City having midfield ace David Silva.

One of the United's manager's greatest regrets was allowing City to beat him to the signing of the Spanish playmaker, says the Manchester Evening News.

Ferguson was an admirer of Silva long before he left Valencia for City - and before they became awash with Abu Dhabi millions.

But he never stepped up his interest, instead failing in a bid to sign Silva's former teammate David Villa.

He would have loved to have had both Spanish internationals in his side, but Silva in particular.