Sir Alex Ferguson has lifted the lid on a series of incidents and revealed his views on some of his former players and rivals.

His new book - My Autobiography - is out on Thursday. Here's our pick of some of the most explosive views shared by the Scot.

On Jose Mourinho

Ferguson thought Jose Mourinho was "a cheeky young sod" after the Portuguese was appointed Chelsea manager in 2004. The former United boss admits that he was experienced enough to know he should not "engage him [Mourinho] in psychological conflict."

On Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy

Ferguson has bartered with Spurs chief Levy on a number of occasions over transfers, most notably regarding the signing of striker Dimitar Berbatov, which the Scot describes as "a scrap". But in a sign of begrudging respect, Ferguson notes that Levy's number one priority is always Tottenham - "which is no bad thing".

On Pizzagate

A bust-up in the Old Trafford tunnel after Manchester United ended Arsenal’s unbeaten run in 2004 left Ferguson covered in pizza.

United won 2-0 to end Arsenal’s run at 49 games and Sir Alex claims Arsene Wenger was “incensed, livid” after the final whistle.

The two managers clashed in the tunnel, says Sir Alex, and “the next thing I knew I had pizza all over me. They say it was Cesc Fabregas who threw the pizza at me but, to this day, I have no idea who the culprit was.”

The Scot said the incident “created a division” between the pair and that the wound was not fully healed for another five years.

On Wayne Rooney

Sir Alex confirms that Wayne Rooney wanted to leave Manchester United at the end of the season.

"He came into my office the day after we won the league and asked away."



Sir Alex also reveals during Rooney's contract stand-off with the club in 2010 that the striker had told him that United should have signed Mesut Ozil, who had joined Real Madrid from Werder Bremen. "My reply was that it was none of his business who we should have gone for."

On turning down England

Sir Alex reveals that he twice turned down approaches from the FA to manage England - once in 1999 prior to Kevin Keegan's appointment and once in 2001 when Sven Goran-Erikkson got the job

On Roy Keane

Some of the most withering criticism in Ferguson's book is reserved for the man who once embodied his will: Roy Keane.

Keane slaughtered his team-mates in a post-match review for MUTV after a match at Middlesbrough.

Ferguson reveals Keane “described Kieran Richardson as ‘a lazy defender’, doubted why people in Scotland rave about Darren Fletcher and said of Rio Ferdianand ‘Just because you are paid hundred and twenty thousand pounds a week and play well for twenty minutes against Tottenham, you think you are a superstar’.”

Ferguson was shown a copy of the tape. His response: “Jesus. It was unbelievable. He slaughtered everyone. Darren Fletcher got it. Alan Smith got it. [Edwin] Van der Sar. Roy was taking them all down.”

On Rafael Benitez

The Spanish manager is described as a control freak and a "silly man" with no friends in football management.

On Robin Van Persie

Sir Alex says Arsenal initially demanded £30m for the Dutch striker in 2012. After Van Persie had told Arsene Wenger that Old Trafford was his preferred destination United offered £20m. 'Arsene was incredulous,' writes Sir Alex. The two managers eventually agreed on a deal for £22.5m with a further £1.5m going to Arsenal if Manchester United won the Premier League or Champions League during the period covered by Van Persie's contract.