Ferguson gave wide-ranging insight into his man-management methods at Harvard Business School in Boston and explained how he keeps modern-day multi-millionaire footballers in line.
"You can't ever lose control - not when you are dealing with 30 top professionals who are all millionaires," said Ferguson.
"If they misbehave, we fine them, but we keep it indoors. And if anyone steps out of my control, that's them dead."
Those comments would certainly apply to both David Beckham and Jaap Stam, who were sold by Ferguson when he sensed that they were no longer under his control.
"Players these days have lived more sheltered lives, so they are much more fragile now than 25 years ago," he added.
"I was very aggressive all those years ago. I am passionate and want to win all the time.
"But today I'm more mellowed - age does that to you. And I can better handle those more fragile players now."
One player who does not fit the 'fragile' template is Wayne Rooney, and he appeared to be referring to the England striker when he said: "One of my players has been sent off several times.
"He will do something if he gets the chance - even in training.
"Can I take it out of him? No. Would I want to take it out of him? No. If you take the aggression out of him, he is not himself.
"So you have to accept that there is a certain flaw that is counterbalanced by all the great things he can do."
Ferguson also revealed that pampering the players or showering them with praise is not part of his methods.
"Some managers are 'pleasing managers'. They let the players play 8-a-sides or 10-a-sides - games they enjoy.
"We look at the training sessions as opportunities to learn and improve. The players may think 'Here we go again' but it helps to win. The message is simple: we cannot sit still at this club.
"There is no room for criticism on the training field. For a player - and for any human being - there is nothing better than hearing 'well done'. Those are the two best words ever invented in sports. You don't need to use superlatives."
Post Comment
