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Family bereavement prompted retirement: ex-Man U manager Ferguson

With the latest edition of his autobiography hitting the shelves, Sir Alex Ferguson spoke to The Telegraph and probably left Manchester United fans feeling rather wistful.

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When discussing egos at Old Trafford, Ferguson recalls Ronaldo standing in front of the mirror and taking abuse from his team-mates, although it wasn’t something the manager had a problem with. Moyes was named as the man to replace him, having been given Ferguson’s stamp of approval.

It’s no secret why Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United.

Bridget, twin sister of his wife Cathy, passed away in October 2012 and Fergie said he realised he needed to put her first and spend more time with her.

While Moyes has to shoulder much of the blame for his failed tenure, many have pointed to an aging squad as one of the reasons why the former Everton boss was unable to live up to expectations. The death of his wife Cathy’s twin sister, Bridget Robertson forced him to make the decision.

Ferguson is quoted now as saying: “I definitely would have carried on”.

But despite that, the former United boss admitted that players didn’t like Ronaldo’s attitude at the club with his antics in the dressing room winding up players, something Ferguson was never bothered about.

“Then to Manchester United, where I tried to create what I saw laid down by Matt Busby way back in the 1950s; because that, without doubt, is a true reflection of Manchester United – how it’s developed young players for half a century”. “I knew she was isolated”, Ferguson said.

“On the training ground you never got one ounce of difficulty with Cantona”.

Fergie knew his time was up, and told his wife he’d be retiring, he got no objections.

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You have to embrace it. Dealing with an ego doesn’t bother me. “Everyone was optimistic about where we were going”.

Eric Cantona Manchester United Football Player Captain celebrates after scoring a goal dbase msi brochure