Sir Alex Ferguson sold a Man Utd star despite receiving threatening letters from fans (Photo: Getty)
Sir Alex Ferguson has opened up on the decision to let one Manchester United player go despite receiving threatening letters from fans over the transfer.
The legendary United manager was renowned for his transfer acumen during his 27 years at Old Trafford, not just in the players he signed but judging when it was the right time to move them on.
There were a few occasions however when talented stars were sold while still in their prime due to a seemingly strained relationship with Ferguson.
One such case was Paul Ince, who made 281 appearances for the Red Devils between 1989 and 1995, playing a key role in the clubs early success under the Scot.
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And yet, Ferguson chose to sell the 53-cap England international to Inter Milan for £7.5million. Ince would only spend two seasons in Italy before controversially signing for United’s arch rivals Liverpool.
Speculation over Ince’s move to Inter sparked outrage among some sections of United’s fanbase, with a BBC interview revealing some of the threatening letters Ferguson received as a result.
Paul Ince (right) won six major trophies in as many years at Man Utd (Photo: Getty)
‘One read: ‘Don’t sell Incey to Inter – or you’ll regret it’, while another said: ‘Every Red is disgusted with you’.
Opening up on the saga, Ferguson said: ‘Paul was a tremendous footballer, there’s no doubt about that.
‘He had incredible ability, but I just had that feeling that he just got carried away a bit at the time.
Ferguson and Ince reconciled years ago and are now good friends (Photo: Getty)
‘He then got this offer from Inter Milan. I’m trying to weigh up one thing against the other. I’m looking at Paul Scholes and I said “should we?”
‘Milan’s offer went from £7m to £7.5m and I said “do it”.
‘That’s what your job is as a manager. You have to make hard decisions, and some decisions don’t suit everyone.’
While very contentious at the time, it ultimately proved to be the right call as Ince’s departure allowed for United’s famous Class of 92 – including Scholes, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Gary Neville, to emerge.
The saga wasn’t over there however as Ferguson later called his former player a ‘big-time Charlie’ during his time at Anfield, something the 84-year-old now regrets, adding his relationship with Ince has now healed.
‘I regret saying that. That was a mistake,’ he added.
‘He’s a good friend of mine. He used to come over and play snooker with me. He texted me not so long ago.’
