Iconic former manager Sir Alex Ferguson ruthlessly axed one Manchester United legend from Old Trafford and left him in “no man’s land” with his cold decision.
Sir Alex Ferguson managed a star-studded roster of players during his time at Old Trafford, including the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Eric Cantona.
However, the 82-year-old Manchester United legend was known for his approach towards players who stepped out of line or challenged his authority at the club.
Ferguson’s approach ensured the iconic Scot had a remarkable 26-year reign at Old Trafford, with the former United boss hoovering up the major silverware.
The Scotsman engineered United’s incredible 13 Premier League title wins, with the Red Devils’ last league triumph coming in the 2012-13 season.
Ferguson, who is considered one of the best managers of all time, was also the first head coach in history to lead an English club to a continental treble.
The Aberdeen legend bowed out of Old Trafford as United manager in 2013 after he announced his retirement from football management.
Ferguson axed Man Utd legend
Sir Alex Ferguson famously axed high-profile players from Manchester United, including club legends Jaap Stam and Roy Keane.
Roy Keane was skipper at the Red Devils under Ferguson and the United legend is widely regarded as one of the best captains of all time.
Despite his pivotal presence in the United locker room, the 52-year-old Irishman was suddenly cut from Old Trafford after his relationship with Ferguson fractured.
Keane infamously slated his former United teammates in a 2005 interview with MUTV after a 4-1 defeat to Middlesbrough, which angered Ferguson at the time.
Speaking on the Stick to Football show, the former United captain opened up on his meeting with David Gill and Ferguson that led to his contract termination.
“My solicitor, my client, who did all my deals, the most relaxed, placid man you’d ever meet, I’ve seen him negotiate – a very good man and knew a good deal – but he almost fell off his chair,” he told The Overlap.
“Ferguson and [David] Gill went, ‘We’ve come to the end and here’s a statement.’ I was like, ‘Alright,’ and he was like, ‘What?!’ I said, ‘Leave it, Mike,’ and they went out and I said, ‘Yeah, I’m out of here,’ and he [my solicitor] couldn’t believe it – all within 10 minutes.’
“I just think if people think that little of you, I’m not going to go, ‘Well, you know, I’m going to see my contract out.’
“Believe it or not, I thought too much of the club. I could have easily gone, ‘Is that what you think of me? But I’ll see out my contract, I’ll come in every day.”
Why Keane was left in ‘no man’s land’
Roy Keane’s contract was terminated by mutual consent in November 2005 and Celtic announced the signing of the United legend in December 2005.
The Sky Sports pundit had not played for United at the time of his dismissal due to a broken foot and Keane could not play for a new club until January.
Keane’s spell at Celtic was curtailed by injuries and the Irish hardman was limited to 11 appearances before he announced his retirement in 2006.
The former Republic of Ireland international admitted that he should have trained with the United reserves and stayed fit instead of terminating his contract.
“In hindsight, [I could have said], ‘We’ve come to the end, yeah, but I’ve got a contract with Manchester United just like you do with United’ – you’re on about principles but when something like that is in front of me, I’m like disgusted with people, I go, ‘I wouldn’t even want to see you again,’ Keane added.
“I was home by half nine, quarter to 10, my wife’s gone, ‘What’s happened?’ I went, ‘It’s over.’
“They still hadn’t done my termination, and Mike was like, ‘I can’t believe it’s happening’ and then statements came out, then I found out that day I couldn’t go to another team – so I couldn’t play until January.
“If I’d have known, I would have said, ‘I’ll just train with the reserves and get myself fit,’ so I left Manchester United having not played for two or three months with a broken foot, and I couldn’t go to anyone until January. I was in no man’s land.”