Ferguson reveals his dread as United manager
SIR Alex Ferguson has admitted he hated telling players, especially youngsters, they were leaving United.
The legendary former boss, who enjoyed a trophy-laden 26-year stint at the Reds’ helm, has been answering questions ahead of the release of a new documentary film, Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In.
The Scot was asked if he had any regrets about his time as United manager and revealed he found it difficult to move players onto new clubs, referencing the ageing 1990s defence of Paul Parker, Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister and Denis Irwin.
“There are always going to be regrets, but the thing is always to look forward,” he said. “Tomorrow’s another day. I always did when we lost a game. The next day was better, without question.
“But in terms of the regrets... the 1994 team I had, the back four all seemed to grow old together, and that’s a terrible thing to happen to the manager because these guys were fantastic for me. Parker, Steve Bruce, Pallister, Irwin: Fantastic players.
“They gave me nine or 10 years and the evidence is always on the football field. They don’t see it. I see it. The problem for me is ‘what do I do about it?’
“I managed to organise a move for them, and they did well out of it, but telling them is very, very difficult.”
Ferguson admitted it was a similar feeling when he had to tell youngsters they had to leave.
“It was the same when having to let young players go,” added Ferguson. “All his ambitions and hopes and desires are about playing for Manchester United in front of 75,000 people and going to Wembley in a final and when you take that away from him, it’s a sore thing.”