PAUL SCHOLES and Nicky Butt have opened up on Sir Alex Ferguson’s infamous ruthless streak.
The legendary Man Utd boss was known for moving players on from Old Trafford – no matter how big their star power.
Football’s Greatest Eras PodcastPaul Scholes has revealed who he believes was Alex Ferguson’s most ruthless release[/caption]
Times Newspapers LtdScholes spent his entire career at Man Utd and won 25 trophies[/caption]
Ferguson memorably parted ways with club icons David Beckham and Roy Keane in the early 2000s after public falling-outs.
But it was another player who both Scholes and Butt were stunned to see shown the exit door at Carrington.
During a recent edition of their podcast Football’s Greatest Eras, Scholes claimed Fergie spotting when a player’s time was up at the club was “part of his genius.”
He said: “He knew when the right time was.
“There would be players who would disagree with him, but whatever he did he felt it was for the best of the club.”
Scholes went on to ask Butt who he believed was Ferguson’s “most ruthless” release.
Butt replied: “I thought Jaap [Stam] was the biggest one.
“Only because Jaap was in his pomp. And he still had many years to go.”
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Stam, a no-nonsense centre-half, was a huge influence in Utd’s 1998/99 treble-winning season.
He was unexpectedly sold in 2001 to Lazio, months after releasing his autobiography.
Fergie was said to be unhappy with revelations made in the Dutchman’s book.
Scholes continued: “I always wondered – and I might be wrong here – if he used the book thing to get rid of Jaap.
“To fast forward it a little bit, but maybe he felt Jaap was going against team ethics and team principles.
“I don’t think any of the team ever thought that.”
GettyJaap Stam won three Premier League titles with Utd before being unexpectedly sold in 2001[/caption]
Man Utd player ratings vs FC Twente
MANCHESTER UNITED’S Europa League campaign got off to a less than ideal start with a miserable 1-1 draw against FC Twente at Old Trafford.
That result dealt a big blow to their chances of finishing in the top eight and avoiding two extra fixtures.
See how the players rated on an underwhelming night at Old Trafford.
Andre Onana – 6
Good save to push a free-kick from Sem Steijn to safety but might be disappointed to be beaten at the near post for Twente’s goal.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Early mistake near the corner flag could have been costly but he caused problems at the other end in build up to Christian Eriksen goal.
Harry Maguire – 6
Missed his tackle to put United on the back foot for the equaliser but almost won it late on with a header cleared off the line.
Lisandro Martinez – 7
Made several important clearances but one wild challenge on edge of his box could have proven costly.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
New boy looks solid. Vital early tackle and another one later to stop Twente going in front.
Christian Eriksen – 7
Fourth successive start – and the veteran still looked sprightly. What a strike to give United the lead but then spoiled it with mistake for equaliser.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
A few good tackles from the new boy but might be disappointed not to clear his lines as Twente broke away for equaliser.
Marcus Rashford – 8
Much improved display in front of watching England interim boss Lee Carsley. Full of energy, a few tricks and a couple of dangerous crosses. More like his old self.
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Skipper had a hand in the opening goal and was so close to winning it with curler from the edge of the box.
Amad Diallo – 6
His pace was too much to handle for the visitors at times but not much of an end product this time and made way for Alejandro Garnacho midway through the second half.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5
A few good moments and forced a flying save from the visitors’ keeper after nice link up with Diogo Dalot – but then hooked for the fit-again Rasmus Hojlund.
Ferguson has previously claimed he sold Stam after he “lost a yard of pace” following an Achilles injury.
Sir Alex said, via The Daily Mail: “He’d been out for months and, when he came back, Steve McClaren and I thought he had lost a yard of pace.
“We played Fulham and he didn’t have a good game and at that moment Lazio came in and offered £16.5m.
“So then Jaap goes to Lazio and he played fantastic. So it was a bad decision. I should maybe have waited a bit longer.”
Scholes and Butt, both members of the Class of ’92, launched their joint podcast in January.
The pair recently opened up the wild two-day bender the team enjoyed after beating Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final.