THE MOST successful football manager of all time, Sir Alex Ferguson, has declared himself a Michael Collins fan and given his verdict on Eamon de Valera’s controversial decision not to attend the Treaty talks in London in 1921.

“ knew he couldn’t win. I’m not sure he wanted a patsy but I’m certainly sure he knew he couldn’t win. Having not been there gave him an authority when he came back to complain and get his power,” Ferguson told RTÉ’s Colm Murray.

In a wide-ranging interview, Ferguson revealed he was a keen student of Irish history and fascinated by Michael Collins and the period of rebellion.

Ferguson said by his own words Collins revealed he knew he would not be successful: “If you remember, he signed his ‘death warrant’ that day when he signed the Treaty with partition,” said Ferguson, who enjoys close connections with Ireland through his wife Cathy, who has Irish roots.

In the interview broadcast last night, Ferguson said Collins was a romantic figure, who expertly built up a rebel network to fight a ruthless organisation in the Black and Tans.

Ferguson had no doubts that political opportunism was a primary motive of de Valera’s sending of Collins to London.

“Why did he not go? Think about it. I’m going to sign Eric Cantona and I send Mick Phelan [Manchester United’s assistant manager] to do the deal?”

Ferguson, who has won more than 40 trophies during his career, also reiterated his view that the most important person at Manchester United has to be the manager. “The minute players become more powerful than the manager of Manchester United our club is finished . . . You have to be strong and have the support of the board and I’ve always had that,” he said.

Asked about the controversy surrounding Wayne Rooney’s contract negotiation, he said the striker had taken bad advice. “We are having to deal with agents all the time . . . they have an imagination beyond belief.”