Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he has no qualms about releasing players he feels need to be moved on.
United boss has no qualms about moving players on
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he has no qualms about releasing players he feels need to be moved on.
Ferguson made his comments as many are predicting he will make one of the biggest culls in terms of his squad since he took charge over 20 years ago.
The United chief has previously shown he will have no hesitation in selling a player he feels has fulfilled his potential at Old Trafford.
Now a host of players look as if they could be entering the twilight of their careers and the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Owen Hargreaves, Michael Owen, Tomasz Kuszczak, Wes Brown, Gabriel Obertan and Darron Gibson all look to have uncertain futures.
With Paul Scholes yet to confirm whether he will be playing on next season, United's squad could be set for a major overhaul despite the fact they could still come home with the Premier League and UEFA Champions League double.
Ferguson, though, is not about to let sentiment cloud his judgment and he pointed to the cases of Nicky Butt and Phil Neville - players he was very close to, but knew they were ready to leave.
No sentiment
"It is a horrible thing to say but you cannot be sentimental in this job," the 69-year-old said.
"I love the players that I've had and I've been very, very fortunate to have had great players who have come through my career with me.
"All of the players I have had here have played a part in my success so when I see something happening - as in the cases of Nicky Butt and Phil Neville - I have had to release them to other opportunities.
"It was getting to the stage where I was terrified of talking to them and telling them they weren't playing. It wasn't fair to them because they had played a big part in the resurrection of Manchester United. When the time came for me to let them go, I knew I was cutting really important, loyal strings and I didn't enjoy it.
"My job is to manage United and to produce results and I am no different to any other manager. I will not be regarded in the same way if I am not successful.
"Everything to do with me is black and white. If it's on the football field and I see something that I feel is a retrograde step for the club, I have to act and make decisions.
"I can make quick decisions and I am lucky that way. In management, you have to be able to make decisions and sometimes you are not right, but that doesn't concern me too much because the important thing is being able to do it."
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