The fact these stars survived at Manchester United could just be a miracle…
Tomorrow HITC Sport will look at 10 stars who rebelled on training or match days and survived.
In a sneak peek, here’s a look at three Manchester United stars who took on Sir Alex Ferguson – and saw their careers live to tell the tale.
Scholes (Manchester United) – November 2011
It may come as a surprise to see Scholes’ name amongst this temperamental lot but Scholes has risked the wrath of Sir Alex Ferguson. Back in 2001, the United academy product was struggling for form having been pushed into a more advanced role. With Ferguson looking to get Scholes back up to speed he selected him in the squad to play Arsenal in the League Cup. Nothing wrong with that, other than the fact that Scholes was the only recognised first teamer set to start. Furious at being asked to play alongside players of lesser quality, Scholes refused to play in the game.
Subsequently Scholes was fined for his refusal, but has managed to sustain a successful career at the club having somehow avoided the Fergie treatment that saw the backs of Beckham, Van Nistelrooy and Veron after disputes. Continues to play to this day and has a very strong relationship with Ferguson.
Anderson (Manchester United) – January 2010
In his time at Manchester United, Anderson has largely been consigned to a squad role. Bought for £18 million, he came with a reputation as one of the world’s most promising young players, however poor form kept him out of the side with Sir Alex Ferguson preferring to use Central midfield partnership combinations of Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick, Owen Hargreaves and Darren Fletcher. Eventually Anderson became frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities and exclusion from the first team squad for a Premier League game against Hull City proved to send the Brazilian over the edge. Anderson missed training the following Monday and found himself in a heap of trouble with Ferguson.
Hard work and improved performances have elevated Anderson to a more involved role at the club, but Ferguson has come out and told of how close Anderson was to being shown the door.
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) – October 2010
This one is far more infamous, Wayne Rooney famously admitted his desire to leave the club, citing a lack of ambition. When Sir Alex Ferguson sat down for his news conference a day later, the world’s watching press expected the manager to effectively end the player’s career.
What happened next was a managerial masterstroke, Ferguson spun it around to put the pressure on Rooney, while puppeteering behind the scenes negotiations which would see the club offer their star striker an improved contract beyond his wildest dreams. The U-turn is one of the most high profile in recent history, and Rooney has only his talent to thank, for if he were a bit-part player or over the hill, his manager would surely not have been so forgiving.
Is the boss mellowing in his old age?
image: © Magnus D
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