He shaped the modern history of Manchester United, guided the club to the European summits, discovered legends and imposed a culture of the win. But even SIR Alex Ferguson, a bench monument, did not escape the casting error. In his autobiographical documentary Never give inthe Scottish broke a taboo by revealing the identity of the one he considers his worst recruit.
A failed bet and a feeling that did not delay Ferguson
And against all odds, he is neither an attacker too clumsy nor a too slow defender. No, it was Owen Hargreaves, the former English international environment, who inherited this uninvable distinction. Recruited in 2007 for around 25 million euros from Bayern Munich, he then embodied a sure value of European football. However, his passage to Old Trafford turned into a Calvary.
Ferguson says today that he ” did not smell well This signature from the first discussions. He talks about a courteous agent, a promising player, but also a “Disaster” in the making. In four seasons, Hargreaves only played 39 games, overwhelmed by repeated injuries. “He did not have the necessary confidence, nor the determination to overcome physical challenges”, explained the technician.
A school case in the career of the Scottish Manager
For a coach renowned to make the most of his players, this inability to relaunch Hargreaves remains a thorn in the foot. “It was one of the most disappointing operations in my career”admits Ferguson, without detour. A failure that contrasts with its countless successes. Cantona, Rooney or Ronaldo, who marked their time.
This testimony recalls that even the greatest tacticians are not infallible. By emphasizing this failure, Ferguson shows a rare humility. And behind this confidence, a management lesson: feeling a recruit is sometimes as important as its statistics.
