Retired Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has launched his new book titled ‘My Autobiography’, which dealt with issues surrounding his 26-year stay at the Old Trafford club.
From his relationship with former Republic of Ireland and club captain, Roy Keane, to loyalty with the Glazers, Jose Mourinho, Rafael Benitez, David Beckham, Pizzagate (a term coined for one flying pizza incident at Highbury after United ended Arsenal’s 49-game unbeaten run), Manchester City and much more; the 71-year-old Scot revealed it all.
Wayne Rooney
For those expecting Wayne Rooney to be a major target in the book, it went far beyond that. The review suggests it hit Keane, Beckham, the most, probably! Who knew Keane “thought he was boss” and Ruud van Nistleroy was rude?
However, Ferguson reiterated his stance on the forward, who he said asked to leave the Premier League champions after last season’s victory.
Ferguson claimed Rooney came into his office after the victory over Aston Villa and “asked away”
In his book the ex-United manager said he felt Rooney was been controlled by his agent, Paul Stretford, during the protracted episode, which ended with the player signing a new contract in 2010.
Before Rooney signed a lucrative contract extension with the club in 2010, the striker felt United lacked ambition and told Ferguson he was dissapointed they had not pursued Mesut Ozil, then at Werder Bremen.
It was at the height of the standoff that almost saw ‘Wazza’ leave for Manchester City and, ‘Fergie’ felt Rooney was “sheepish” during the confrontation in which he said United should have pursued Ozil when he signed for Real Madrid from Bremen, and had been “programmed in what he was trying to say”.
He was also full of praise for the England striker’s natural ability, revealing that United tried to snatch him from Everton at ages 14 and 16, but also makes frequent references to his physique.
“With that kind of physique it was hard to imagine him playing into his 30s,” says Ferguson, revealing that when he re-signed in 2010 he imagined him adopting the midfield role- which the player has openly rejected.
Despite occasional flashes of brilliance, he felt Rooney was “struggling to get by people” and had “lost some of his old thirst”.
“I left him to discuss his future with David Moyes, hoping to see many more performances from him at Old Trafford,” concludes Ferguson.
Arsene Wenger
Ferguson claims the post “Pizzagate” 8-2 mauling of Arsenal at Old Trafford “scrambled Wenger’s brain”.
However he revealed their rivalry mellowed in later years and admitted he felt sorry for the Frenchman during Arsenal’s 8-2 defeat to United in 2011.
Away from the game, they do discuss wine and he is a diligent “member of our trade”.
On matchday, things are different. Even then, says the Scot, he can identify with “the sharp change in him when the whistle blew”. They got on fine nevertheless, although Wenger would never come for a drink in his office after the match.
“Pizzagate.” Ferguson still does not have an idea who left him covered in pizza, although Cesc Fabregas is most often blamed.
“My recollection of that fabled incident is that when Ruud van Nistelrooy came into the dressing room, he complained that Arsene Wenger had been giving him stick as he left the pitch. Right away I rushed out to say to Arsene: ‘You leave my players alone’. he was incensed at losing the game. That was the reason for the combative behaviour.
The next thing I knew I had a pizza all over me. They say it was Cesc Fabregas who threw the pizza at me but, to this day. I have no Idea who the culprit was… Sir Alex Ferguson. My Autobiography. Publishers: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd. Available from October 24 Amazon.com.
“That day created a division between us. The wound was not fully healed until the Champions League semi-final in 2009, when Arsene invited us into his room after the game and congratulated us.”
In his final dig at Wenger, Ferguson says the Arsenal boss has produced only one “truly homegrown” player in Jack Wilshere.
Sourced from the Guardian.
