Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly banned Manchester United’s young players from driving a particular brand of car, despite the club having a massive sponsorship deal with the brand.
Ferguson is regarded as one of the greatest managers in the history of football, and part of his success is attributed to his ability to effectively manage his players. The Scotsman was known for his strict micromanagement, aiming to control all aspects of his players’ lives to ensure they remained focused on the game.
For instance, he banned the team’s younger players from wearing coloured football boots, demanding that they only wear black boots. Then, in 2012, despite Manchester United having a multi-million-pound sponsorship deal with Chevrolet, Ferguson banned the team’s younger players from driving luxury sports cars.
In 2012, Manchester United entered into a huge partnership with the American car manufacturer, with Chevrolet subsequently becoming the club’s shirt sponsor in 2014. As part of the deal, Chevrolet provided Manchester United players with a range of luxury car options, including their iconic Corvette sports car.
The Corvette, depending on the model, is priced from £80,000, rising to as high as £90,000.
A Manchester United spokesperson confirmed: “As with most car partnerships, Chevrolet will provide players with a car. The specific model will depend on their time with the club and driving experience.” However, Ferguson banned any players under the age of 23 from ordering any Chevrolet vehicle, regardless of their position within the team.
This meant players like Danny Welbeck, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Rafael Da Silva, who were already established Premier League regulars, were still prohibited from driving vehicles that didn’t meet Ferguson’s requirements.
Ferguson’s decision is a testament to his strict management style, ensuring young players remained grounded and didn’t become complacent.
In an interview with talkSPORT, Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney explained why his old manager demanded young players drove everyday cars. He said: “When Fergie was there, if you were under 25, you weren’t allowed to have a sports car. It was all those little things which helped to instil discipline and the older players helped them through it.”
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