The whole of Manchester was shaken this morning when Sir Alex Ferguson – the living legend of Manchester United – suddenly spoke out harshly criticizing a player of his former team, saying that this person is a “burden” that can cause coach Rúben Amorim to lose his ticket to the Champions League next season.
According to a leaked source from a private event at the Carrington training ground, Sir Alex told a group of former players and club officials:
“Man United will never be able to return to the Champions League if he continues to play every week. I know Amorim has his own philosophy, but sometimes he needs to open his eyes and see.”
The statement was said to be “as sharp as a thunderbolt in the sky of Old Trafford”, and immediately caused a stir in the global online community.
The identity of the player that Sir Alex “named” has not yet been officially revealed by the club, but according to a series of internal sources, that person is one of the names that has regularly appeared in Amorim’s starting lineup since the beginning of the season.
An Old Trafford staff member told Daily Sports Insider:
“He (Sir Alex) was very upset. He made it clear that the player was not good enough, not brave enough and lacked the desire to win – the values that made United’s glorious dynasty.”
The British press immediately launched a series of speculations. Some writers of The Mirror said that the person “named” by Ferguson was a pillar in the defense, who often made mistakes in big matches. Meanwhile, The Sun said that Sir Alex was talking about an attacking star with fluctuating form and indecisive playing style.
A former player who played under Sir Alex shared:
“When he said that, it means he was really disappointed. Ferguson does not easily criticize publicly, unless he feels someone is damaging United’s legacy.”
A close source also revealed that after that shocking statement, Ferguson was said to have sent a private message to Rúben Amorim – the content was only eight words but made the media “feverish”:
“Don’t let emotions blind the coach.”
That sentence immediately spread across social networks, considered the most straightforward “warning” that Sir Alex had ever sent to a United coach after his retirement.
Reacting to the public opinion, coach Rúben Amorim only smiled when asked at the morning training session:
“I respect all legends, especially Sir Alex. But this team is mine now. And I know what I’m doing.”
That confident statement further divided public opinion. One side said that Amorim was brave and courageous; while the other side was worried that he was engaging in an underground war with the most powerful symbol in Manchester United’s history.
Former player Gary Neville commented on television:
“If Sir Alex really said that, then there is something big going on at Old Trafford. Amorim wants change, but when it comes to Fergie’s comments, no one can escape.”
While the identity of the “named” player remains a mystery, Red Devils fans are sharing the same emotions: anxiety, excitement and not being able to take their eyes off what is about to happen.
One thing is for sure – Man United are back at the center of chaos, and this time, the stirrer is none other than Sir Alex Ferguson – the symbol of power at the Theatre of Dreams.
