Ferguson defends Man Utd squad he left Moyes

The Manchester United manager has revealed that the death of his wife’s twin sister was the reason behind his retirement in 2013.

“King Eric” helped Manchester United end their title starvation in the 1990s and was a mercurial figure both in and outside of the halls of Old Trafford.

Despite winning the league by 11 points in his final season, United failed to qualify for Europe in the following campaign, with Moyes’ exit being confirmed once it was certain they would not secure a place in the Champions League.

“Even when I knew I was retiring we still tried to put some things in place, with players coming in”, Ferguson told the Daily Telegraph.

“I saw she [his wife Cathy] was watching television one night, and she looked up at the ceiling. I knew she was isolated”, Ferguson said. “Her and Bridget were twins, you know?” She did not try to persuade him to do the same in 2013, however.

You have to embrace it. Dealing with an ego doesn’t bother me.

With one of the stands at Old Trafford named after Ferguson and the Scot adored by the club’s supporters, filling his shoes was always going to be a massive task. He said at the time and in numerous editions of his autobiography, that he did it for his wife.

But Ferguson said this in May 2013: “Things changed when Cathy’s sister died”.

Ferguson’s coaching record is the envy of managers across the globe.

Manchester United’s form under Louis van Gaal, and previously David Moyes, is a far cry from the Ferguson era. The Red Devils finished fourth last season under van Gaal and are now in 7th position showing signs of struggle in the Premier League.

The reversal in fortunes was a surprise to Ferguson. “Everyone was optimistic about where we were going”.