Front» Fergie kids showed a United

IT WAS in the spring of 1995 that Sir Alex Ferguson decided to put his faith in the Class of 92.

Little did he know that his own Manchester United future would depend on Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville.

Mark Robins’ FA Cup winner at Nottingham Forest in January 1990 has become steeped in legend as

goal that convinced United’s directors not to sack the man who would become the most successful manager in the club’s history.

But six years later, the Scot found himself facing a make-or-break moment when his Old Trafford bosses answered his demand to be given a new long-term contract with a question of their own.

“Have you taken your eye off the ball?” asked Professor Sir Roland Smith after Fergie had been summoned to the chairman’s Isle of Man home to discuss his request for a six-year deal. Fergie’s bid to become the first manager to defend the Double had ended in failure. A 1-1 draw at West Ham on the final day of the Premier League season meant Blackburn were crowned champions.

And, six days later, United were beaten 1-0 by Everton in the FA Cup Final.

Just a few days earlier the manager had shocked directors by announcing that he planned to sell Paul Ince, who Ferguson (left) felt had become too big for his boots.

Ince had christened himself ‘The Gov’nor’. His nickname was stitched into the tongue of his Predator boots.

As Ferguson explained in his autobiography ‘Managing My Life’: “This Gov’nor thing should have been left in his toy box.”

Ince was sold to Inter Milan for £6million – and fans’ favourites Mark Hughes and Andrei Kanchelskis were to follow through the exit door.

United had lost three key players – but there was method in his madness.

Giggs had long graduated into the first team. And when, in September 1994, United travelled to Port Vale in the League Cup, Ferguson unleashed more of the club’s 1992 FA Youth Cup winners, who won 2-1.

An idea had begun to form in Ferguson’s mind and the disappointing end to the 1994-95 campaign gave him the excuse he needed. “It was clear I now had youngsters equipped to play at the highest level,” he said.

In May 1996, United reclaimed the Double – and Ferguson, as requested, once again crossed the Irish Sea to speak to Prof Smith.