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Tag: Ferguson

  • How Ferguson convinced me about Man Utd move – Phil Jones

    How Ferguson convinced me about Man Utd move – Phil Jones

    Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has recalled how Sir Alex Ferguson convinced him about moving to Old Trafford.

    Jones, who retired earlier this year, left Blackburn Rovers for United in 2011.

    On the Rio Ferdinand Presents Five podcast, Jones, 32, said: “An unknown number rings me – ‘Phil, it’s Sir Alex here. I want you to come over to Nice and come and meet me’.

    “It’s just me and Sir Alex, so I’m sat in the room thinking ‘Oh my God. What am I going to say here?’

    “He didn’t ask me a single question on football”.

    He added: “The last thing he said to me, he looked it my eyes and he said: ‘Phil, are you are winner?’

    “It gives me goosebumps now. That’s the point. There was nothing he could say that would change my mind.

    “I’m being deadly serious there was nothing he could say. Nothing. I don’t even know how to put it into words.”

  • Why I chose Tottenham over Fergie’s Man Utd – Bale

    Why I chose Tottenham over Fergie’s Man Utd – Bale

    Former Wales star Gareth Bale has outlined his reasons for rejecting Manchester United.

    The 34-year-old, who retired from the sport earlier than many fans anticipated, won five Champions League titles with Real Madrid.

    However, his career may have turned out differently if he had joined United when Sir Alex Ferguson was still manager.

    Of the time he rejected United when at Southampton in 2007, Bale said, per The Sun: “I rejected Manchester United and went to Tottenham.

    “At that time, United were the biggest team in the league, they were winning trophies, they had the biggest players, the best manager,

    “The easiest decision would be to go to Man United and the biggest club.

    “You always want to be at the biggest clubs but I took the approach that I wanted to be playing first-team football.”

  • Alex Ferguson offers judgment on Ten Hag

    Alex Ferguson offers judgment on Ten Hag

    Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson has heaped praise on Erik ten Hag.

    The Dutch coach has earned rave reviews from United’s best ever manager this week, as the new Premier League season begins.

    Ahead of United taking on Wolves, which the Red Devils narrowly won 1-0, Ferguson lavished praise on Ten Hag.

    “I think Ten Hag has done a fantastic job.” Ferguson, 81, told NBC Sports.

    “He’s grabbed it, he’s brought his own players in – I think that was important – and if he gets the center forward ready quickly, they’ll be a really good side.

    “Because that’s what they have really lacked in the last few years – a centre forward.”

  • Alex Ferguson never spoke to me at Man Utd – Zaha

    Alex Ferguson never spoke to me at Man Utd – Zaha

    Former Crystal Palace manager, Neil Warnock has revealed that forward, Wilfried Zaha told him that former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson never spoke to him during his time at Old Trafford.

    Warnock also stated that Zaha didn’t get much help at Man United and was hence brought back by Crystal Palace.

    Zaha signed for Man United from Crystal Palace in January 2013 but remained on loan at the Eagles until the summer of 2013.

    After making just four senior appearances for Man United, the 29-year-old was loaned out to Cardiff City in January 2014.

    Zaha eventually returned to then Warnock-managed Crystal Palace, initially on loan in the summer of 2014 before the deal was made permanent the following summer.

    Speaking about his former player, Warnock told Talksport: “I signed him when I went to Crystal Palace. He’s always loved there. I would have liked to see him go to another top club. When he came back to me when I re-signed him.

    “I remember talking to him in the chairman’s office. I said to him, ‘Did you get on alright with Sir Alex?’ He said, ‘He never spoke to me once’.”

    Warnock added: “He was only a young lad and went there and didn’t get a lot of help. I’d love to have seen him [at a top club]. When he’s got an arm around him, he’s so exciting to watch and so dynamic. I think he’s going to have an excellent season this year.”

    Zaha has played 433 matches across all competitions for Crystal Palace so far, registering 86 goals and 73 assists.

    The Ivorian was close to leaving Crystal Palace for Arsenal in 2019, but the move didn’t materialize.

  • Man Utd snub Ferguson in search for Solskjaer’s replacement

    Man Utd snub Ferguson in search for Solskjaer’s replacement

    Manchester United great, Sir Alex Ferguson, will have no formal role in the search for the club’s next manager, ESPN reports.

    Instead, football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher, have been given the responsibility of identifying and assessing candidates.

    United are in search of their fifth permanent manager since Ferguson retired in May 2013.

    Before Solskjaer, there was Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal and David Moyes.

    Although Ferguson was appointed as a director on United’s football board after retiring as manager, the 79-year-old will not be involved in the latest managerial recruitment drive.

    Murtough and Fletcher, who were confirmed in their respective roles in March this year, have been tasked with running the search for Solskjaer’s successor.

    However, a final decision will be made by chairman Joel Glazer.

  • Look at Ferguson before sacking Solskjaer – Ranieri tells Man Utd

    Look at Ferguson before sacking Solskjaer – Ranieri tells Man Utd

    Watford manager Claudio Ranieri says Manchester United should stand by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

    Ranieri has called for United to give time to Solskjaer, believing he is the right man to turn things around at Old Trafford.

    The Italian pointed out how Sir Alex was appointed by the club in 1986, but he did not win his first trophy until 1990.

    “I think every manager has his philosophy,” said Ranieri. “But I remember also when Sir Alex Ferguson arrived in Manchester, three years? How long was it for him [to win a trophy]?

    “Give time to Solskjaer. I am confident with him, he just has to continue this job.

    “But look, Solskjaer is doing very well; of course, Manchester United want to win every time. And they want to come back to the Sir Alex Ferguson era, that’s normal.

    “But the pressure is a positive pressure, for him and for everyone working in Manchester.”

  • Man Utd selling Ronaldo to Madrid was right call – Alex Ferguson

    Man Utd selling Ronaldo to Madrid was right call – Alex Ferguson

    Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says selling Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid was the right call.

    The Scot says Ronaldo’s desire to make a 2009 dream move to Real Madrid led him to allow the star forward to leave when the LaLiga giants made their £80million bid for him.

    Ferguson said on the UTD Podcast: “I was not against that, six years was great for a boy from Madeira, getting him here just after his 18th birthday.

    “I think we did well that way and it gave me a chance to get a replacement.

    “We got Antonio Valencia and he was fantastic so we were very lucky that way.

    “I knew (how good he would be). When he got to that kind of platform at Real Madrid.

    “To be fair to Real, they are one club that has produced world-class players for years and years and won the European cup so many times, 13 or something.

    “You’ve got to give them credit – it is a platform where any great player would love to go to.”

  • Alex Ferguson key in Man Utd deal for Ronaldo

    Alex Ferguson key in Man Utd deal for Ronaldo

    Sir Alex Ferguson has been key to Manchester United’s move for Cristiano Ronaldo.

    The Manchester Evening News says United offered Ronaldo a contract on Friday morning following a late intervention from former United boss Ferguson, who spoke to Ronaldo about the plans regarding his future.

    United are lining up a two-year deal for Ronaldo and are planning for him to have a medical in Lisbon.

    United then publicly signalled their interest in the Old Trafford legend when manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, at his Friday press conference, made it clear that he would welcome the 36-year-old five-time Ballon d’Or winner back.

    “Ronaldo is a legend of the club, and the greatest player of all time, if you ask me,” said the United boss. “I didn’t think he’d leave Juventus. We’ve always had a good communication and I know Bruno (Fernandes) has been talking to him.

    “He knows what we feel about him. If he was ever going to move away from Juventus, he knows we’re here.

    “When you are Messi, Ronaldo, Pogba or Bruno, you have to read a lot about yourself. Let’s see what happens with Cristiano, because he is a legend of this club.

    “I don’t want to speculate too much on Cristiano. We focus on the ones we have here. I’ve said many times, when you’re Man United or (Lionel) Messi, Ronaldo you read a lot about yourself.

    “I was fortunate to play with him and coach him. Everyone who has played with him has a soft spot for him.”

    Asked if he wanted another new player after signing Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane this summer, Solskjaer added: “Any manager is always looking for a little bit more.

    “I have to say the transfer business we’ve done this summer, I’m happy with the numbers, quality and personalities we’ve brought in. They fit each other really well. You’re never comfortable as a manager, but the chemistry is there and I’m very happy with what we’ve done.”

  • Alex Ferguson speaks publicly for first time after brain surgery

    Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson thanked medics for saving his life and said he felt humbled by the huge outpouring of sympathy in his first public comments since undergoing emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage in May, AFP reports.

    The 76-year-old Scot, who won 38 trophies in 26 years in charge at United, praised medical staff in a video message released by the club.

    Ferguson, who guided United to 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies, remained in intensive care for several days following the emergency surgery.

    “Hello. Just a quick message, first of all to thank the medical staff at Macclesfield, Salford Royal and Alexandra hospitals,” said a healthy-looking Ferguson, whose speech appeared to have been affected a little.

    “Believe me, without those people, who gave me such great care, I would not be sitting here today. So thank you from me and my family, thank you very much.”

    Ferguson, who stepped down after winning his 13th Premier League title in 2013, said both the care he received and the global reaction to his predicament had touched him deeply.

    “It’s made me feel so humble, as have all the messages I’ve received from all over the world, wishing me the best,” he said.

    “And the good wishes do resonate very, very strongly with me. So thank you for that support you’ve given me.”

    Ferguson ended the message by saying he would be back at Old Trafford to watch United, now managed by Jose Mourinho.

    “Lastly, I’ll be back later in the season to watch the team,” said Ferguson. “In the meantime, all the best to Jose and the players. Thank you very much.”

  • Ferguson still in serious condition after brain surgery

    Ferguson still in serious condition after brain surgery

    Former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, remains in a serious condition at the Salford Royal Hospital following a brain haemorrhage, according to the UK Guardian.

    The 76-year-old underwent emergency surgery after he was rushed by ambulance from his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire on Saturday.

    He was taken first to Macclesfield district hospital and then to Salford hospital under a police escort.

    His family, including his wife Cathy and his son Darren, are at his bedside.

    Neither the club nor the hospital provided an update on his condition on Sunday, which United had previously said would require intensive care.