Sir Alex Ferguson issues advice to Man Utd youngsters – ‘You must accept defeat’

Sir Alex Ferguson regularly made use of young talent during his time as Manchester United boss and the iconic figure has issued some words of wisdom about using defeat as a positive

Sir Alex Ferguson has issued advice to Manchester United’s next generation of talent – insisting they must “handle defeat” if they want to be successful.

The Scot remains the club’s most successful manager and has been left to watch on for 12 years since retiring as the club try and fail to replicate his achievements. One of the pillars of his tenure was the constant use of academy players.

Ferguson bought through the Class of 92 and saw the likes of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and the Nevilles thrive in the first-team. They helped him win numerous finals, but the Scot recalls more of the finals he lost as a manager than those he won, citing their importance in his development.

The current United side features academy stars like Kobbie Mainoo, but they are struggling to get results at present. Ferguson, who was speaking an at academy event, made it clear that handling defeats in the right way is key to development despite the expectation to win.

He said: “You have to handle defeat the correct way. To be a winner, you have to accept defeat is part of your life, but you can correct it the very next day. All the young players here, handle defeat in the right way and make sure you are a winner the next day. I won 32 finals too [laughs]!

“Actually, I can tell you every detail of all the finals I lost more than the ones I won, because it is part of my life. Losing is part of my life and it is not easy because your expectation – not just with me and my family but with the players, their families and the supporters – is to win.”

Some of the club’s academy graduates have endured difficult times as of late. Marcus Rashford, who came through under Louis van Gaal, has just left the club on loan but his switch to Aston Villa could soon become permanent.

Ferguson accepts that managers and players operate in a world where results are king, but insists that backing a young player is key and should always be a part of the fabric in Manchester.

He said: “In the industry today where results matter, you have to have great belief when you play a young player, that is without question. But this club does that. Any young player that comes through has got a chance.

“We had some fantastic young players who became internationals and it is a joy to see it. Long may it continue and it will continue, because what I see today is exactly what I expected to see.”

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