Michel Carrick has given his side of the story on how Sir Alex Ferguson informed his Manchester United players about his retirement in 2013.
Before retiring Ferguson bowed out with his 13th Premier League title, knocking Liverpool off their perch in the process, and reclaiming the crown from rivals Manchester City.
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Following the death of his wife’s sister, he needed to be there for his Cathy. The great man stood by his wife after all her support throughout the years.
He was left angered by someone leaking the information the night before.
Fergie gave an emotional speech to his players at the Carrington training complex on a Tuesday, as Carrick recalls in his newly released autobiography ‘Between the Lines’.
“I took in every detail, the Boss began speaking and became quite emotional,” Carrick writes.
“‘Look boys, I didn’t want to do it this way. I wanted youse [sic] to be the first to know. I’m really disappointed how it’s come out.
“‘I really did want to be telling you first, but I’ve been forced to tell you now because it’s come out last night. Someone’s leaked it.’
“He was fuming about that. There couldn’t have been many people who knew.
Michael Carrick recalls Sir Alex Ferguson’s leaving speech…
“I don’t really want to go, but I’ve got to take this decision.”
— utdreport (@utdreport) October 18, 2018
“Sir Alex went on, ‘Look boys, this is not something I’ve taken lightly.’ He mentioned Lady Cathy’s sister passing away.
“‘I feel that I owe it to my wife to be with her and look after her. It’s been unbelievable and thanks for everything, I’ve loved every minute. I don’t really want to go, but I’ve got to take this decision.’
“You could see it was hard for him to finally say, ‘This is it boys.'”
Fergie made the right decision, but it was and still is a hard one to take. United are still feeling the fire of the post-Ferguson era as it grows more apparent that he was a complete genius.
But it’s personal when that sort of information is leaked.
