MANCHESTER, Dec 31: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has warned that he will not hesitate to sell any player who breaches the club discipline.

Ferguson has taken a hard line with his players throughout his career and has not been afraid to sell some of the club’s biggest stars.

And his latest warning comes after the club’s Christmas party ended in rape claims.

The United boss has reportedly fined the players involved in the party a total of one million pounds (1.9 million dollars) – the biggest penalty ever dished out by a Premiership team for a breach of discipline.

And he has also banned any more parties and told his millionaire players there will never be a repeat performance.

The Scot said: “Football has changed but you cannot lose your control. That is why we make changes here at Manchester United when we see anyone interfering with this sense of control.

“When we see this, then it’s time for them to go because this club is based on everyone being together. When we start going off at tangents you have to assess it – definitely.”

Ferguson also expressed his dislike of the celebrity lifestyle now enjoyed by many high-profile players.

“What annoys me about some players today is this personal glory thing,” he said. “They score a goal and then knock players out of the road so they can have their own private, personal gratification and praise from the fans. It’s ugly seeing these kinds of celebrations.

“These present-day footballers need to be noticed, with their earrings and tattoos. They no longer go to the small Italian restaurants but to the big and bright places.” —AFP

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...