12 Things Man Utd Want You To Forget About Sir Alex Ferguson

12. Retirement U-Turn

Sir Alex Ferguson retired from football management in the summer of 2013, but it wasn't the first time the venerable Scot has decided to hang up his hairdryer for good. Back in 2001, Ferguson announced his retirement as Manchester United boss, citing disputes with the club's board and health issues as the reason. The shock decision had dire effects on the team, who crashed to three straight defeats to Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham in the immediate aftermath of the fallout, slumping to ninth in the table. Then, Ferguson performed a spectacular u-turn, revealing he wanted to stay after all. United were buoyant, going on to finish third in the table and reach the Champions League semi-finals. Trophies followed, and the Scotsman stayed in the job for another 12 years. However, when we look back on the messy will-he-won't he saga of all those years ago, it may well be that we only talk about one retirement during Ferguson's career as United manager.