Sir Alex Ferguson Sold World Cup Hero After He Ignored Boots Demand

Sir Alex Ferguson once sold one of his Manchester United players after they refused to wear the type of boots he wanted.

Ferguson managed some of world football's elite talents during his near 27-year stint in charge at Old Trafford.

He would often recruit from South American clubs, a path less trodden by players in the modern era.

One of the players who joined United from the continent was Diego Forlan, who was signed from Uruguayan giants Independiente in 2002.

Forlan was a prolific goalscorer almost wherever he played during his career, with United being the single exception.

The striker only managed 17 goals in 98 appearances for the club before being sold in August 2004.

His final game for the club was in a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, who had just appointed Jose Mourinho as their manager.

Forlan came on as a second half substitute as Ferguson's side attempted to find an equaliser after Eidur Gudjohnsen's early opener.

But the Uruguayan missed two chances to score and also slipped in front of goal.

Speaking five years later, in 2009, Forlan revealed the reason behind his slip was due to his choice of footwear.

He explained how Ferguson had asked him to use longer studs on wet pitches, but Forlan opted against doing so and ultimately paid the price.

"Ferguson wanted me to play with long studs, the interchangeable ones that suit wet pitches," he began (via The Guardian). "But I feel more comfortable in short ones.

"I agreed to change, but I didn't. And against Chelsea, I slipped in front of goal and wasted a chance.

"Afterwards, I rushed to the dressing room to change boots, but Ferguson caught me. He grabbed the boots and threw them.

"That was my last game for United," he concluded.

Forlan would go on to sign for Villarreal, subsequently spending seven successful years in Spanish football.

He won the inaugural Europa League with Atletico Madrid in 2010, scoring twice in the final against Fulham.

Then, that summer, he netted five goals for Uruguay and was named best player at the World Cup as the South American nation reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1970.