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Topics: Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, FA Cup, Crystal Palace
Luke Davies
Topics: Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, FA Cup, Crystal Palace
A former Manchester United player never spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson again after the Scot’s decision to drop him for an FA Cup final.
Ferguson, 83, is one of the most respected and successful managers of all time.
The former United boss won 30 trophies – including 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups and 2 Champions League crowns – during his 26-year stay at Old Trafford.
And he is still a revered figure, with his record commanding respect even from his arch-rivals and opposition fans.
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However, one of his former players revealed he will never speak to Ferguson again after he was dropped from an FA Cup final replay.
Scottish goalkeeper Jim Leighton, who was Ferguson’s first-choice back in 1990, made 91 appearances for the Red Devils between 1988 and 1992 - and he thinks he should’ve had at least one more.
Leighton, 66, started the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace in 1990, with the match ending 3-3.
Back then, extra time and penalties did not decide the winner, with the sides taking part in a replay instead.
United won the replay 1-0, which secured Ferguson’s first trophy as United boss. But Leighton was dropped and replaced by Les Sealey in between the posts.
"We've never spoken since and never will do again," Leighton told the BBC in 2018.
He even turned down Sealey’s offer of his winners’ medal.
"I had been fortunate enough to win quite a few medals up to that time and, unless I could walk up the stairs and wear the hat and the scarf and lift the cup, then I didn't want anybody's charity,” he added.
He then admitted that his relationship with Ferguson had “got pretty frosty” before the former United boss made the harsh decision to drop him.
"He was miles ahead of anybody in terms of knowledge of the game and tactics, but in terms of dealing with people, it wasn't quite the same," he said.
Ferguson later discussed his selection choice and gave the reason why he dropped Leighton.
“Was he a better keeper than Jim? No, but he thought he was, and that can sometimes be important,” Ferguson explained.
“Les Sealey was cocky and sometimes downright arrogant, so I did not foresee a failure of his nerve at Wembley.”