United weighed up Di Canio bid
The Manchester United boss is a long-term admirer of Di Canio's mercurial ability and twice tried to sign the attacker from West Ham.
Di Canio was released by The Hammers at the end of last season and spent the summer searching for a new club before joining Charlton Athletic in August.
The 35-year-old is expected to line up against The Red Devils at The Valley on Saturday but he could have been on the opposite side.
Ferguson has revealed he weighed up the possibility of a renewed effort to lure Di Canio to Old Trafford but ultimately opted against signing the maverick Italian.
"He is a fantastically talented footballer," stated Ferguson. "It was a great piece of business by Charlton to snap him up.
"I had a wee think about maybe bringing him here during the summer. I'd looked at signing him a couple of times before but maybe it wasn't meant to be.
"You don't see many guys with that special knack of changing a game with a flash of pure talent.
"He is a very dedicated football and a great trainer. I know he often stays on for at least an hour after everyone else has finished. That's a great attitude to have."
