Sir Alex Ferguson Sold World Cup Hero After He Ignored Boots Demand

Sir Alex Ferguson once sold one of his Manchester United players after they refused to wear the type of boots he wanted.

During his nearly 27-year tenure at Old Trafford, Ferguson oversaw some of the best players in the world of football.

He frequently hired from South American clubs, which is a route that players in the present day are less likely to use.

Diego Forlan, who was acquired from Uruguayan powerhouse Independiente in 2002, was one of the players who came from the continent to join United.

Throughout his career, Forlan scored goals frequently practically everywhere he played, with United being the only exception.

The striker was transferred in August 2004 after only scoring 17 goals in 98 games for the team.

Chelsea, who had recently hired Jose Mourinho as manager, defeated him 1-0 in his farewell game for the team.

Forlan came on as a second half substitute as Ferguson’s side attempted to find an equaliser after Eidur Gudjohnsen’s early opener.

But the Uruguayan missed two chances to score and also slipped in front of goal.

Speaking five years later, in 2009, Forlan revealed the reason behind his slip was due to his choice of footwear.

He explained how Ferguson had asked him to use longer studs on wet pitches, but Forlan opted against doing so and ultimately paid the price.

“Ferguson wanted me to play with long studs, the interchangeable ones that suit wet pitches,” he began (via The Guardian). “But I feel more comfortable in short ones.

“I agreed to change, but I didn’t. And against Chelsea, I slipped in front of goal and wasted a chance.

“Afterwards, I rushed to the dressing room to change boots, but Ferguson caught me. He grabbed the boots and threw them.

“That was my last game for United,” he concluded.

Forlan would go on to sign for Villarreal, subsequently spending seven successful years in Spanish football.

He won the inaugural Europa League with Atletico Madrid in 2010, scoring twice in the final against Fulham.

Then, that summer, he netted five goals for Uruguay and was named best player at the World Cup as the South American nation reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1970.