Pushed out

Six United players that Fergie let go

Paul McGrath

What caused rift?The Dubliner's alcoholism and knee problems exhausted his manager's patience. Fereguson tried to persuade him to retire but McGrath refused and was sold to Aston Villa in 1989.

What happened next?Played seven seasons for Villa, winning the League Cup twice, and played in two World Cups for the Republic of Ireland.

Was Fergie right?Yes. Ferguson bought Gary Pallister to partner Steve Bruce and they won three titles together.

Paul Ince

What caused rift?Performances after Eric Cantona was suspended for kicking a Crystal Palace fan came under criticism from his manager as United's season fell apart.

What happened next? Sold to Internazionale for €8.5 million where he played well but won nothing – same as with Liverpool on his return to England in 1997. Ferguson lambasted him in his autobiography for getting carried away.

Was Fergie right?Yes - Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes were promoted, forming fine partnerships with Roy Keane that won the Double in 1996 and the league the year after.

Jaap Stam

What caused rift?Stam won three titles and the Treble at United but was struggling to regain his pace after an achilles injury. That was Ferguson's excuse but allegations in Stam's autobiography, that Ferguson tapped him up while he was at PSV and his colourful description of the Neville brothers played a part.

What happened next? Ferguson got €19 million for a 29-year-old centre half from Lazio who went on to win cups but no titles there or at Milan and Ajax.

Was Fergie right?Maybe – the only one over which he expressed regret. Probably sold him a year too early.

David Beckham

What caused rift? Commercial activities and the tabloid hysteria over coverage of his private life was not to Ferguson’s taste. Accusing him of sloppiness after a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal, Ferguson kicked a boot across the dressingroom that struck Beckham above the eyebrow.

What happened next? Sold to Real Madrid for €28 million in 2003, he won the league title in the last of his four seasons at the Bernabeu .

Was Fergie right? Yes – he extracted a huge fee and replaced him with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Roy Keane

What caused rift?Keane's frustrations with a United in transition as Chelsea dominated prompted scathing interview with MUTV, which Ferguson suppressed.

What happened next? Captain's contract paid up and in effect sacked in November 2005. He joined Celtic in January, winning the SPL title before retiring in the summer.

Was Fergie right? Yes – his authority had been undermined by a captain acting as loose cannon.

Guardian Service