Sir Alex Ferguson goes back on a ‘concrete’ deal
Manchester United’s most loved and successful manager Sir Alex Ferguson has had his name written into the club forever. Not only did he win them trophies, but he also managed and created some of the best teams ever in the league. However, there was an apparent agreement in place that would have likely seen this success dashed as Sir Alex was actually meant to manage Tottenham Hotspur instead. After Keith Burkinshaw left as manager in 1984, there was an apparent ‘concrete’ agreement for the Scot to take over, according to former chairman Irving Scholar. Scholar told The Sun: “The truth was that I had been talking to and negotiating with Alex Ferguson about a deal… I said, ‘Are you sure you’re ready?’. He said, ‘I’m sure’. So we had this seminal moment of the handshake. As you know, unfortunately, he didn’t keep to it”. How different things could have been for United if their greatest manager had have taken over a different club, while Tottenham may have also enjoyed much more success if the Scot had taken charge at the London club.
David de Gea gives United the edge over Liverpool this weekend
Manchester United take on Liverpool this weekend as the Premier League returns in full force. The two sides will be looking to get one over on their biggest rival with Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp once again renewing their tactical battle. United seem to have the edge due to their league position and more well-rounded team, but they will be put under massive pressure by Liverpool’s often incisive attack. However, former Manchester United goalkeeping coach Tony Coton believes that goalkeeper David de Gea gives United the edge. He explained: “He is a model professional, his consistency levels are phenomenal. He has proved to be a great, great goalkeeper, he’s fantastic, his consistency is the key. The biggest thing about him is that he stands big, he transfers the pressure onto the forwards, he never sells himself and any goal he concedes is a well earned goal. He simplifies goalkeeping, he doesn’t try to make anything spectacular and I’ve been very, very impressed”.
Mourinho expects another big match against Liverpool
The game of the weekend once again sees England’s two most successful clubs clash, and Jose Mourinho is clearly expecting another tough match. He told Sky Sports: “And you are right, at Anfield I’ve had great moments and I’ve had bad moments. They have had happiness against me, they have had very sad moments against me [Now] if they respect me as much as I respect them, we are going to have another one of those matches”.