Pallister stands by Ferguson

Pallister stands by Ferguson

He wasn't willing to discuss the elephant in the room, given his current links to the club.

But it was clear during the media's 15-minute interview with Manchester United legend Gary Pallister yesterday that the 48-year-old still has deep respect for his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The retired centre back, brought in by United sponsors Maybank, was speaking at the sidelines of the Sport- Cares Foundation's Saturday Night Lights programme for youths at risk at the ITE College Central yesterday.

Ferguson raised the ire of many, including ex-captain Roy Keane, with his criticism of current and former players in his autobiography released this week.

But according to Pallister, his former manager would know better than to hold grudges.

"Bearing in mind he became a manager at a very young age, he probably learnt early on that (disagreements) can fester and build up, then they become cancerous and infect the dressing room," said the 1.93mtall Englishman. He later had a question-and-answer session with 76 youths and gave away 10 autographed balls.

Commitment

"You are not going to go out there and want to die for the manger in any given match if you are at loggerheads."

The charming ex-player, who is not one of the club's official ambassadors but represents the Red Devils occasionally at events, chuckled when reminded by a journalist a particularly heated argument he had with Ferguson early in the former's career.

Pallister said: "It was a feisty argument and I thought my (United) career was coming to an end... but he brought me into his office two days later and actually apologised.

"It tells you a great deal about the man when he actually admits he is in the wrong when he's in a position of power."

Asked if he had any advice for the boys, Pallister said: "Enjoy it, first and foremost - that was the last thing that Sir Alex Ferguson would say as we walk out of the dressing room before a match."


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