10 Most Intriguing points from New Sir Alex Ferguson's Book - The Leading

As part of a push towards new audiences – the business crowd, mainly – the Manchester United legend focuses on the managerial techniques he honed during his decades in football.
But there remain plenty of intriguing revelations about his career and the characters with whom he came into contact.
Here, then, are ten of the most intriguing bits:

1.)Ferguson wasn't afraid to make demands...

In one of the most revealing sections of the book, Ferguson recalls his dissatisfaction when, in 2010, Wayne Rooney's wages doubled to around £200,000 per week.

Ferguson had no issue with his striker being paid top dollar and had even played a role in convincing Rooney that his future remained at Old Trafford despite interest from Manchester City.

But he did find it unfair that his star player should be earning so much more than he was... so he expressed his feelings to the Glazers.

It was then decided that no player would ever earn more than Ferguson. Ask and thee shall receive.

In the money: Ferguson's wages took a huge hike after Rooney's raise

2.) He had ridiculously high standards

Brilliantly, Ferguson also claims that he only had FOUR world-class players during the entirety of his time as Red Devils boss.

The lucky men? Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Eric Cantona.

That leaves a lengthy list of brilliant players who, in Ferguson's eyes, were just not at the very highest level. We're talking Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rooney, Jaap Stam, Peter Schmeichel, David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and a whole host of others.

Tough man to please, Ferguson.

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3.) United didn't 'reject' Jose Mourinho...

In his book on Mourinho, Spanish journalist Diego Torres claimed that the Portuguese broke down in tears when it emerged that David Moyes was the preferred choice to take over from Ferguson at Old Trafford.

According to Torres, the Moyes appointment "provoked an earthquake", with Mourinho feeling betrayed – mainly by Ferguson, with whom he had enjoyed a cordial relationship.

But Ferguson tells the tale differently, claiming that Mourinho had already made his mind up on a return to Chelsea by the time United made their approach. A face-saving revelation for the United hierarchy, if true.

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4.) However, they were snubbed by Pep Guardiola

Ferguson says that he asked Guardiola to get in contact before deciding on a new challenge after leaving Barcelona, but that the Spaniard failed to do so before pitching up at Bayern Munich.

Maybe Pep forgot... or maybe he just didn't have the heart to tell Fergie that the possibility of working with Bebe and Alexander Buttner wasn't all that tempting.

Lintao Zhang

5.) Other managers were unavailable as well

As if that weren't enough, Ferguson also claims that Carlo Ancelotti, Louis van Gaal and Jurgen Klopp were all unavailable when he tendered his retirement. Presumably, then, all were in the frame to take over at Old Trafford in the eyes of club bosses.

The conclusion? This book probably won't make brilliant reading for poor old Moyes, whose name appears to have been some way down United's wishlist.

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6.) Ferguson doesn't feel he left a sinking ship

As Moyes struggled, much was made of the state of the squad bequeathed to him by Ferguson. It was, according to some, full of ageing legs and in desperate need of refreshment.

Fergie, predictably, doesn't quite see it the same way, and makes his point with what may well be the line of the book.

"You would have thought that I had left 11 corpses on the steps of a funeral home," he writes. Oh, snap!

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7.) Cristiano Ronaldo is as much of a poser as you imagine

Ferguson always adored the Portuguese attacker and there is a loving glow to his words even as he describes Ronaldo's more egotistical tendencies.

"The biggest ego came with beautiful vanity, with that fantastic body of his." writes Ferguson.

"Ronaldo would stand in the mirror and the others would throw socks and jock straps at him."

Matthew Peters

8.) United passed on Sergio Aguero

Ed Woodward's transfer window fumblings have long been a source of frustration for United fans. Things usually progress in a familiar manner: United get linked with global superstar; global superstar signs new contract or goes elsewhere; United look a bit silly.

Sergio Ramos, Gareth Bale, Ronaldo, Cesc Fabregas, Pedro, Thiago and a number have others have all been pursued in the last few years. And now we have a new name to add to the list.

According to Ferguson, United were in the running for Aguero before his switch to Manchester City, but baulked at Atletico Madrid's £35million asking price.

File that one under 'costly errors'.

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9.) Daniel Levy really is tough to deal with

The Spurs chairman has a reputation for driving a hard bargain, with many Premier League managers being forced to stump up top dollar for Tottenham players over the years.

Ferguson plays up to the mythology with a zinger of a line. According to the Scot, thrashing out a last-minute deal for Dimitar Berbatov back in 2008 was "more painful than my hip replacement".

Clive Rose

10.) Ferguson thinks Ryan Giggs will become a top manager

There are words of encouragement for United's assistant manager, who is currently serving an unofficial apprenticeship under Van Gaal.

"Ryan Giggs is eventually going to be a great manager," writes Ferguson. "He has intelligence, presence and knowledge."

He also says he would have considered appointing Giggs to his staff... had the Welshman's career not extended into his 40s.

-(Source: Mirror.co.uk)