SM
Bayern vs. Augsburg: 4 hrs 19 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Sir Alex Ferguson's book: Five things we want to read

:Headline: Sir Alex Ferguson's book: Five things we want to read: ID:112642: from db_amp
Sports Mole picks out five subjects that we would like Sir Alex Ferguson to clarify in his latest book.

This week will mark the release of Sir Alex Ferguson's second autobiography.

It is a publication in which the former Manchester United manager, who retired at the end of last season, has vowed not to hold back.

So, with the 71-year-old likely to lift the lid on a number of issues, Sports Mole has picked out five subjects that we hope he has tackled since his last book was released in 2001.

Rock of Gibraltar saga

It's hard to believe that a racehorse could have had such an impact on one of England's most successful clubs. Ferguson was invited to invest in the £100m stallion by Irish millionaires John Magnier and JP McManus, who had a sizeable stake in United. In 2004, though, Ferguson fell out with his friends, believing that he was entitled not only to some of the Rock's prize money, but also a slice of the stud fees. The matter was eventually settled out of court, but soon after Messrs Magnier and McManus sold their shareholding in the club to Malcolm Glazer, thus plunging United into severe debt.

Relationship with David Beckham

"His life changed when he married and his focus changed. Well, he got drawn into that celebrity status, you know. For me, I'm a football man."

That is what Ferguson said about Beckham during a recent interview on American television. Along with the Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers, Ferguson, with the aid of youth team coach Eric Harrison, had nurtured Beckham. His marriage to Spice Girl Victoria Adams altered the relationship between manager and player, though. Numerous incidents, including one where a stray boot kicked by Ferguson in the dressing after an FA Cup tie with Arsenal struck Beckham above the eye, saw the understanding between the pair seemingly break down. Beckham was sold in the summer of 2003 to Real Madrid, despite being regarded to still be in his prime.

Roy Keane's departure

The majority of players who caused Ferguson any bother had their United careers cut short. However, there were those who were dealt with leniently - Eric Cantona being one, while Keane was another. The Irishman was Ferguson's lieutenant on the pitch and on more than one occasion he dragged United out of the mire. Nevertheless, in 2005, even Ferguson could not defend his captain following an interview that he had given to MUTV in which he had criticised a number of his teammates. Keane's contract was cancelled soon after and it has been reported that the once strong bond is yet to be fully patched up.

Did Wayne Rooney ask for a transfer?

It's the subject that Ferguson's replacement, David Moyes, must be dreading coming up. Rooney expressed a desire to leave Old Trafford in 2011, having questioned the club's ambition. Ferguson was able to talk him round, but soon after he had announced his attention to retire in April of this year, the Scot claimed that the striker had asked to depart again. It's an accusation that Rooney has reportedly denied and has instead insisted that he only sought clarification over his playing position. Moyes managed to convince Rooney to stay put during the summer despite his apparent desire to jump ship to Chelsea, but more revelations from Ferguson could prove terminal for Rooney's United career.

Why not Jose Mourinho?

From the moment that news broke of Moyes's appointment, Ferguson has backed his fellow countryman. After all, Ferguson had a big say in who was to replace him. There were many people, though, who believed that Mourinho should have been a leading candidate to fill the void. Some journalists have claimed that Mourinho was desperate to replace someone who he viewed as a mentor, but United did not even make contact with the now Chelsea boss. One Spanish report even suggested that the fact that he was overlooked left Mourinho in tears.

amp_article__112642 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2013-10-22 16:37:40:
html db last update - 2013-10-22 16:37:40 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Alex Ferguson

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .