Oi! Do Your Top Button Up!
How has Mr Ferguson managed to stay in charge for that long? Keep discipline amongst multi-millionaires earning incredible amounts of money, players that have taken over the role of film stars in society, yet Mr Ferguson, looking at those United players yesterday, still has them exactly where he wants them.
Perhaps it’s because they had Scholes, both the Nevilles and Giggs to keep the dressing room where he wanted it. When he’s been challenged he’s very quickly moved players on. People like Beckham, Keane and Ince – but the lads above have been anchors, keeping everyone’s feet on the ground and keeping that dressing room tight, united, and down to earth.
I watched Chelsea’s suspended or injured players sitting behind the dugout in jeans and V-neck jumpers – not the case at Manchester United.
Mr Ferguson has regularly brought in new coaches and moved forward with technology, scouting and recruitment, and also tactically. The introduction a few years ago of Carlos Queiroz was a masterstroke. People questioned the change to a 4-3-3 and a very different style of football but it took Manchester United to another level, a level that can compete against the very best.
Rene Meulensteen is a brilliant coach, he stays in the background, nobody knows much about him but I studied him for my pro license in Denmark, when he was manager at Brondby, before Mr Ferguson recruited him.
He sits for hours in his office and he oozes football knowledge and positivity – it was no surprise when Mr Ferguson recruited him to take Manchester United to the next level once again.
Mr Ferguson seems to be good at that.
His scouting network has come up with the signing of the season. That little Chicharito. What a player and, you can just tell, a proper bloke. For £8m Mr Ferguson has got the best value for money, without a shadow of a doubt.
Mr Ferguson seems to be good at that.
Recently at my Pro FC camp at Keele University we had a special guest from Manchester United. He turned up impeccably smart and put on the most fantastic presentation for all our players and staff. He was down to earth, kind, humble, passionate and a thoroughly decent man. His presentation was regarding careers in the commercial world of football. I was expecting somebody from his office but it turned out the Commercial Director, like the top boss, came and did the presentation himself.
In private I asked him – “why?”. He said it’s important to keep in touch with the supporters and the real people. His work is mainly done on global, multi-million pound deals, but he said he still feels it’s necessary to be ‘out there’ as put it – to promote the global brand of Manchester United Football Club.
Two Pro FC players are going on work experience now at Manchester United, to visit the training ground and work at Old Trafford.
Oh, and by the way, throughout the presentation that he put on, his top button was done up and he wore his red tie with pride.
Just check out the footage today of the Manchester United players celebrating on the pitch after the game at Ewood Park yesterday. The ones that didn’t play are in their black blazers, white shirts, and red ties. Just check out the top button.
Does it make a difference?
I can just see Mr Ferguson walking through a corridor at Old Trafford, and raising a finger to one of those players: “Do your top button up son, pull your tie up and don’t ever let me see you walking around like that again.”
Best wishes
Reverend Martin
Martin Allen's Sunday Sermon 