The memories of a seven year old child normally last a lifetime as  Manchester United supporter Jonathan Howcroft can testify after meeting one of his childhood heroes thousands of miles away from home. Denmark international Jesper Olsen spent four years from 1984 at United winning an FA Cup in his first season, before settling in Melbourne with his family following a serious injury which forced his retirement in 1992.

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You will find ‘square pegs in round holes’ in all walks of life but nowhere more so than in the British tabloid press. That’s why it may not be surprising to see a deep, thoughtful analysis on a subjest like why the UK economy will make a spectacular comeback in the next twelve months by Paul Gascoigne in one of our ‘best selling’ newspapers. Best selling is of course usually just another term for gutter press so while the thought of Gazza giving his ‘valued’ opinions on the economy may seem ridiculous, it’s no more unthinkable than having a judge on such television shows as Britain’s and America’s Got Talent attempting to give serious predictions for the new Premier League season.
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You will find ‘square pegs in round holes’ in all walks of life but nowhere more so than in the British tabloid press. That’s why it may not be surprising to see a deep, thoughtful analysis on a subjest like why the UK economy will make a spectacular comeback in the next twelve months by Paul Gascoigne in one of our ‘best selling’ newspapers. Best selling is of course usually just another term for gutter press so while the thought of Gazza giving his ‘valued’ opinions on the economy may seem ridiculous, it’s no more unthinkable than having a judge on such television shows as Britain’s and America’s Got Talent attempting to give serious predictions for the new Premier League season.
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What do you do after retiring from playing football in your early fourties? Most professionals go into management, coaching, the media or something where the vast knowledge built over many years can be used.  Others like Eric Cantona and Vinnie Jones found a new talent in acting to become movie stars. If  you were the man who proved to be the ace in the pack when Manchester United completed that history making treble in 1999 however, you take a totally different career path like Teddy Sheringham did.

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Today, we start the “What If” series. We will talk about players and events and Paul Gascoigne is the player to start with. What if Gazza agreed to join Manchester United?

Paul Gascoigne’s current mental health and financial problems have been well publicised. He had stints in a mental institution and has previously battled drinking problems as well as marital problems.

Not as well publicised is the fact Sir Alex Ferguson was interested in signing him for the Red Devils. Gascoigne visited the Manchester United youth academy as a youngster and spurned the opportunity to continue his football education under the tutelage of Sir Alex for reasons only he knows. Read the full story