Alex Ferguson talks to RTÉ about IRA legend Michael Collins and Wayne Rooney

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson has told RTÉ he is a fan of legendary IRA leader Michael Collins and Eamon de Valera sent Michael Collins to the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty talks in London because “he knew he couldn’t win”.

In an interview with RTÉ Sport’s Colm Murray at Christmas, a series of interviews with top sports personalities broadcast over the holiday break, Alex Ferguson said he is a student of the Tan War period in Irish history.

Ferguson had no doubts that political opportunism was behind de Valera’s sending Collins to London rather than go himself as the acknowledged leader of republican Ireland:

Why did [de Valera] 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?

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.

The boss: Alex Ferguson tells Wayne Rooney what's what

Describing Collins as a romantic figure, the no-nonsense Ferguson said Collins built up a rebel army network that was ruthless because the IRA was fighting a ruthless enemy: the Black and Tans.

Turning to more recent controversies, Ferguson talked about soccer and Wayne Rooney’s contract row and transfer demand.

That had come about because the England striker had taken bad advice, Ferguson said. He revealed to Colm Murray some of the incredible demands by agents acting for already highly paid footballers of clubs that want to sign or keep players.

We are having to deal with agents all the time . . . they have an imagination beyond belief.

But the manager has to be the boss, Ferguson insisted.

The minute players become more powerful than the manager of Manchester United our club is finished.