Fergie on himself in The People:
‘People have had a go at me for all sorts of things during my time here at Manchester United.
‘It goes with the territory of managing the biggest club in the land. But I'd never had my desire questioned before. That's what really wound me up.
‘I had decided not to retire and, clearly, not everyone thought it was the right choice.
‘It took just a few bad results and the whispers began that I'd lost the plot. I'd taken my eye off the ball.My love of racing was taking over and I was spending more time watching my horses than my players.
‘Listening to some people when the team were going through a blip earlier this season you'd have thought I was training the horses myself!
‘That's why I have to laugh when people talk about racing taking over my life.
‘The truth is I get to about six meetings a year, and they're in the summer. With Rock of Gibralter doing so well people thought it was all I was ever bothered about.
‘But if I wanted an easy life why would I go into our Carrington training ground early in the morning like I do?
I'd take a few days off like all managers have done down the years. I'd let Carlos Quieroz and Mike Phelan get on with the training while I went down the golf course.
‘But I never do that. This is my job and I'm still as dedicated as ever - no matter what anyone says.