Sir Alex Ferguson told me I was brilliant at Man Utd – 3 days later he released me, I had tears in my eyes in training
SIR ALEX FERGUSON crushed one of his former players’ dreams when he axed him just a few days after singing his praises.
Ferguson is one of the greatest managers of all time following his stunning 27-year stint at Manchester United.
Fergie won a staggering 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cup trophies and two Champions League honours before his retirement in 2013.
And Sir Alex’s success goes down to his smart tactics, good eye for talent and ruthless character.
The Scot showed the latter in full force when picking his team as he would drop anyone he didn’t deem good enough at a drop of a dime.
A local lad — who was Ferguson‘s first acquisition when he signed as a schoolboy in January 1987 — met that side of the legendary gaffer in 1991.
The former midfielder worked hard to win over his strict manager and thought he succeeded when Sir Alex told him he was “brilliant”.
However, everything changed only three days later when he was called up to Ferguson’s office and was told his contract wouldn’t be renewed.
The then youngster was absolutely heartbroken but had to return to training.
However, he was so devastated he started tearing up and thus couldn’t focus – and that led to a tongue lashing by Paul Ince.
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That was none other than Alan Tonge, who looked back at one of the biggest heartaches of his life at the age of 52.
Tonge said: “At the end of the season we had pipped Manchester City to win the Lancashire League title and Fergie told me I’d done brilliantly.
“That was on a Saturday and he called me in three days later to tell me my contract wasn’t being renewed.
“I had to take part in an eight-a-side training session with some of the first team after.
“But I had tears in my eyes and kept giving the ball away, which Paul Ince had a real go at me about.
“I don’t think that was the correct way to treat a young player who just had his dreams shattered.”