Sir Alex Ferguson sacked Man United bus driver after Oxford loss

New tapes from Ferguson’s early interviews have been released, detailing new information from the difficult first years of the manager’s reign at Old Trafford.

The Scotsman was appointed Red Devils boss in November 1986, replacing Oxford legend Ron Atkinson in the dugout, with his first match in charge coming against the Yellows.

The U’s beat Man United 2-0 in Ferguson’s first ever game, John Aldridge and Neil Slatter getting on the scoresheet in the Division One victory at the Manor Ground.

Extracts detailed by The Telegraph, coming from Wayne Barton’s book ‘Fergie: the Lost Tapes’, include tape recordings of interviews between the famous manager and late Red Devils reporter Tom Tyrell who worked for Piccadilly Radio.

Before Ferguson arrived in the red half of Manchester, former Oxford midfielder Ron Atkinson – he played over 500 games for the U’s – would allow team bus driver Derek “Sooty” Sutton to sit on the bench during matches alongside the coaching staff.

Sutton would also brew tea which he would then hand out at half time.

John Aldridge scores from the penalty spot against Manchester United in Sir Alex Ferguson’s first game in charge of the Red Devils (Image: Oxford Mail archive)

This came as a shock to Ferguson when he first took to the dugout at the Manor Ground.

“I had done my team-talk and was going into the dugout when I saw the bus driver sitting there,” the now-retired manager told Tyrell.

“He was even giving the tea out at half-time.

“Let’s say that quickly stopped.”

In 2004, Sutton looked back at Ferguson’s arrival.

“Ferguson never told me to my face that he didn’t want me in the dressing room,” the driver recalled.

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“He did that behind my back to my bosses at the coach firm… I hate the man – he is a very hateful person.

“I was always in the dugout until Ferguson came along.

“I always served the tea at half-time.

“Atkinson brought me in and he was always sound with me.

“I’d have passes to walk anywhere around Old Trafford and sat on the bench for the 1985 FA Cup final at Wembley when United beat Everton.

Sir Alex Ferguson (Image: PA)

“When Ferguson came in, he wanted to stamp out all the old regime.”

The former Man United manager went on to have what is regarded by many as one of the greatest managerial reigns of all time.

In his first season, Ferguson steered the Red Devils away from relegation and, after a tough first few years, eventually won his first league title in 1992/93, the inaugural Premier League season.

The 84-year-old went on to win 13 league titles, five FA Cups and two Champions Leagues, amongst a host of other honours.