Featured Image Credit: The Overlap/Getty
Topics: Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Gary Neville, Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup
Tom Jenkins
Topics: Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Gary Neville, Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup
Gary Neville has revealed exactly how Sir Alex Ferguson would let players go from Manchester United and it proves exactly why he was one of the best managers ever.
Ferguson managed United for 26 years before retiring in 2013, and won two Champions League titles, 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, and one European Cup Winners' Cup.
While United's recruitment during Ferguson's tenure was second to none, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Erik Cantona all being signed by the Scot.
However, Ferguson's ability to bring through exceptional talents from the academy was also a major reason for why United's success was so sustainable.
Advert
The iconic class of 92 which included David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, and Paul Scholes, all contributed to United's 1999 treble highlighting the importance of United's academy.
Despite United having such an excellent pathway from the youth to the first team, not every player could make the cut, and Sir Alex had a special tradition he would always do if he was forced to release a youth player.
Speaking on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet, in 2024, Neville explained how he used to sit in the meetings as the club captain, and revealed exactly how Ferguson would handle the situation.
“I sat in quite a lot when the boss [Sir Alex Ferguson] was letting young players go," he said.
"When you were captain, they would sometimes say, ‘Look, he hasn’t got an agent. Would you go and sit in with him?’ And he’d release players – telling a young player at 19 that they’re not getting a professional contract, and it’s not for them."
Neville explained how Ferguson would be extremely straight up with his players and explain exactly why they weren't in his plans, however, he would also ensure they had the best possible path away from the club.
He continued: “It was interesting to see how he did it. He was quite firm with them because he would tell them why [they were being let go].
"It would be like, ‘You’ve got Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, and these players in front of you, and you’re not going to get in. I’m being honest with you, but I think you’ve got a great career in the game.’
“But he’d always lined up three or four trials or conversations that they could have straight away, and he’d say, ‘Look, I’ve sorted you out to make sure you get a club straight away because you deserve that.’ And he would literally try and pick them up [emotionally] in the same meeting," he added.