Fergie: Discipline may have cost Utd titles

Sir Alex Ferguson admits his tough approach to discipline could have cost him Premier League titles during his time at Manchester United.

Ferguson, who won 13 league titles at United, had a number of high-profile bust-ups with some of the best players in the world during his 27-year tenure at Old Trafford.

David Beckham, Roy Keane, Jaap Stam and Ruud Van Nistelrooy among others incurred the Scot’s wrath during his trophy-laden spell at the club.

Ferguson says he has no regrets about taking a hardline approach with his players, but admits the policy may have cost him silverware.

“People will give a manager plenty of opportunities to crack the whip so it’s best to pick and choose your moments,” the former United manager writes in his forthcoming book Leading.

“You don’t have to dish out a punishment very often before everyone gets the message.

“I place discipline above all else and it might have cost us several titles.

“But if I had to repeat things I’d do it precisely the same because discipline has to come before anything else.”

Current United boss Louis van Gaal has been criticised for his strict approach, with new Chelsea signing Pedro — a summer target for United — suggesting the Dutch coach’s treatment of fellow Spaniards Victor Valdes and David De Gea is “not fair.”

Morgan Schneiderlin, who joined United from Southampton this summer, said earlier this week that Van Gaal is “very strict and he’s very hard to satisfy.”

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