Source: Telegraph
Sir Alex Ferguson: Mark Robins goal for Manchester United did not save my job
Carling Cup holders United travel to Oakwell to face Robins's Barnsley in a fourth round tie, with the match being billed as Fergie against the man that saved him from the sack.[LNB]But for a goal scored by Robins in a 1-0 FA Cup third round win against Nottingham Forest in Jan 1990, many believe that Ferguson would have lost his job as United manager.[LNB] Related ArticlesMark Robins: I saved Fergie's job but he never thanked meGabriel Obertan to make United debut against BarnsleyFerguson warns Rio Ferdinand to find his formNottm Forest 1 Barnsley 0Richard Keys unlocks Super Sunday dramaMark Robins focused on league formFerguson survived, of course, and went on to build a dynasty at Old Trafford and the Scot insists that he did not fear for his job before the Forest game.[LNB]Ferguson said: "The goal at Forest was an important goal, don't get me wrong, and who's to say what would have happened without it, but I don't think it saved my job.[LNB]"You never know in football. Who's to say how the club would have reacted if we'd lost and if crowds had tumbled?[LNB]"One thing's for sure though. (Director) Bobby Charlton would not have let it happen. He knows better than anyone the heartbeat of this football club. This football club needed the foundation of youth and we were doing some great work on that side of it. Bobby knew we were on the right road."[LNB]Robins, 39, is proving to be one of the brightest young managers in the game after starting out at Rotherham before his switch to Oakwell in September.[LNB]And Ferguson admits he has been impressed by his former strikers progress in management.[LNB]Ferguson said: "Mark did a great job at Rotherham. They were going into administration and it's not easy if that happens because you cant get any players.[LNB]"He had to work with what he had and I think thats a good start in management, I really do. Learning the hard way is the best way.[LNB]"When I was at East Stirling, there were only eight players when I joined the club. I had to get five players quickly just to get a team on the pitch. They gave me £2,000 to get five players![LNB]"My first signing cost £100 and that boy is now the chief scout at Ross County, George Adams. I keep joking to him: 'You were a huge waste of money!'"[LNB]
