Sir Alex Ferguson: What he said, really meant and definitely didn’t

Sir Alex Ferguson would rather leave West Ham behind and take home the bacon.

What he said:

“I hope that before I die, someone can explain the ‘West Ham way’. What is it? They last won a trophy in 1980, the FA Cup. I never played against any West Ham team that played football I was afraid of. They were always surviving, or lucky as hell against us.”

The updated version of “Alex Ferguson: My autobiography” has the former Manchester United boss deride West Ham United and their supposedly different style of play.

The surprising attack prompted a spirited defence from West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan.

Sullivan said:

 “I read an article this week in which Sir Alex Ferguson said he was not sure what the ‘West Ham Way’ was.Personally I think what we are witnessing right now is exactly that. We are playing attacking football with everybody giving 100 per cent and we are getting results at the same time.

Our strikers have scored nine times this season and given us what we sorely lacked last year – goals.”

What Ferguson really meant:

“I’m so mad. Why is there no Manchester United way? Is there? Or even better the Alex Ferguson way? Just count the number of trophies in my cabinet.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I’m lucky as hell.”