Fergie’s 25: Key Manchester United decisions
To celebrate Sir Alex Ferguson’s 25-year reign at Old Trafford I took a Look at 25 key decisions made in the last 25 Years at Old Trafford
KEY DECISION: Sir Alex Ferguson signs on at United
SAYING YES TO UNITED
Having broken the Auld Firm domination with Aberdeen The lure of Old Trafford was too big a pull when United came calling.
SELLING PAUL MCGRATH AND NORMAN WHITESIDE
Fergie walked into a drinking culture at United he chose the unpopular route to cleanse the squad and prove his iron fist selling the pair was a vital early decision.
KEEPING BRYAN ROBSON
Though Whiteside and McGrath were sent packing, Robson's commitment and performances never wavered despite off-field partying. Fergie stuck by his skipper
RE-SIGNING MARK HUGHES
Bringing back Sparky in 1989 from Spain was a stroke of genius and the Welsh striker spearheaded the start of the golden years.
INVESTING HEAVILY IN SUMMER OF 1989
Fergie cranked up the process in the summer of '89. Arrivals of Gary Pallister, Paul Ince, Neil Webb, Danny Wallace and Mike Phelan brightened up Old Trafford..
DROPPING JIM LEIGHTON FOR 1990 FA CUP FINAL REPLAY
Leighton had been Fergie's stalwart No 1 at Aberdeen and he moved quickly to bring him down south. Loyalty had to be cast aside and the keeper was axed for the replay. Les Sealey starred in the 1-0 victory.
SIGNING ERIC CANTONA
Fergie cheekily got Leeds to sell him a bargain and a marriage made in heaven put the Reds on a new level.
SELLING PAUL INCE
His standing in the dressing room and re-styling his game on the field was becoming a disruptive problem, according to Fergie. Despite Incey being a fan favourite he was allowed to leave for Inter Milan.
PROMOTING CLASS OF '92
Favourites Paul Ince, Mark Hughes and Andrei Kanchelskis were the names dominating the '95 summer of discontent. Class of '92 had to be promoted or they'd stagnate. To make way for Beckham, Butt, Neville and Scholes the old boys had to go but it proved to be a winner.
REVAMPING UNITED'S YOUTH SYSTEM
The Reds boss was appalled United had lost out and set about revamping a youth policy that had largely been abandoned. Nobby Stiles and Brian Kidd were enlisted to provide a local theme and encourage kids back to Old Trafford.
CHANGING SCOUTING SYSTEM
Fergie could get better players if he'd produce more kids for the first team – Sir Alex went out and employed more scouts to give Harrison the tools to work with.
SELLING DAVID BECKHAM
After the infamous boot incident and its aftermath, Beckham's days were numbered. United moved forward and signed Cristiano Ronaldo.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL SUBSTITUTES
The injection of Teddy Sheringham and Ole Solskjaer pepped up the fading and jaded Reds.
BACKING CANTONA AFTER SELHURST PARK
He persuaded Cantona to return gave him the captaincy and was rewarded with the 1996 double.
SIGNING CRISTIANO RONALDO
United's players couldn't stop talking about the teenager after his dazzling one-man show in a pre-season friendly in Lisbon Fergie immediately went on to to snap a future World Player of the Year up for £12.5m.
SELLING CRISTIANO RONALDO
Fergie made the Reds a huge profit by selling the player for a world record £80m.
ROW WITH ROY KEANE
Keano quit and Fergie didn't fight on this occasion to keep him. His new generation was soon to become European and League double winners without the one-time inspiration.
ROW WITH RUUD VAN NISTELROOY
Like Keane, van Nistelrooy went a step too far. Axed for the '06 League Cup final after a poor display at Liverpool the seeds were sewn for the Dutchman's departure.
SIGNING RYAN GIGGS
Giggs (then Ryan Wilson) was at City's school of excellence but on a tip from a United staff Giggs scored a hat trick in a friendly game against united under 15s and Fergie later turned up at his house with an offer to sign him up for the Reds.
RETIREMENT U-TURN
In 2001, Ferguson announced that he was set to quit the Reds in the summer of 2002. He went to the club to tell them he'd changed his mind and the story continues to this day.
FIGHTING TO KEEP ROONEY
Despite his annoyance Fergie worked behind the scenes quickly to remedy the situation.
APPOINTING STEVE McCLAREN AS ASSISTANT IN 1999
He may have since become a much-maligned figure but he brought fresh innovative ideas at the time and slotted neatly into the Treble-winning finale months from February onwards.
NOT BEING TEMPTED TO MANAGE ELSEWHERE
Scotland, England, Barcelona and Chelsea have all courted Fergie he has always remained loyal to United and snubbed offers.
TAKING SIR MATT BUSBY'S ADVICE
His chats with the legendary former United manager proved to be a calming psychological booster to continue the task he had set about to rebuild United.
PROMOTING BRIAN KIDD TO ASSISTANT IN 1991
He moved Kiddo up from his job as youth development officer. For eight years, it was a hugely successful alliance, with Kidd particularly an influential figure to the Class of '92.
