Sir Alex Ferguson's reaction when Man Utd star demanded a signing-on fee during contract negotiations speaks volumes

Sir Alex Ferguson's reaction to hearing that one of his Manchester United players wanted a signing-on fee to extend his contract speaks volumes.

Ferguson was in charge at Old Trafford between 1986 and 2013, and was known for having tight control over many aspects of the club's inner workings.

In 2010, the Scot had a clause inserted into his contract which ensured that no United player earned more than his weekly salary.

That decision was taken after Wayne Rooney signed a five-year extension worth a reported £190,000 per week - making him, at the time, the club's highest-paid player.

The reasoning behind Ferguson's clause was to ensure that no player thought they were bigger than the club itself.

You may be thinking, therefore, that contract negotiations involving the legendary manager would be anything but straightforward.

That may have been the case on occasion, but there was one specific incidence that spoke volumes about the Scotsman.

Former centre-back Alan Tate enjoying a hugely successful career in the Football League with Swansea City, spending 11 years with the Welsh side between 2004 and 2015 and establishing himself as a club legend.

But before then, Tate was a trainee at United and came through the club's youth system.

Alan Tate played for Swansea between 2004 and 2015 (Image: Getty)

In 2002, he was set to be loaned out to Belgian side Royal Antwerp - who were United's affiliate team at the time - but asked Ferguson for a new contract before his departure.

It was during their meeting that Tate asked Ferguson for a signing-on fee as part of the deal - and what happened next stuck with him forever.

"He sat down with me, said what I was going to get in year one, two and three," Tate told The Times.

"I said, 'Okay...' and I was still sat there. He said: 'Is there anything else?' I said, 'I want a signing-on fee'.

"He stared at me for what felt like about 10 minutes. 'Why do you deserve a signing-on fee?'

"I explained that I'd moved past other players who had been given one.

"He looked at me again. 'You're right. I'll give you 30 grand - 10 grand a year. But make sure you buy your mum and dad something. I'll be checking'.

"So I spent three months on loan, came back, and my dad was at my first reserve game at Wolves.

"He had a tap on the shoulder. The manager. 'What did he buy you?'

"I'd bought them a telly. He was buzzing with that. So when I talk about the demands, it wasn't just the football. It was the demands of you as a person. It shapes you, stays with you for the rest of your life."