Sir Alex Ferguson has opened up on David Beckham's loan to Preston and revealed that the former Manchester United star felt that he 'wanted him gone.'
Beckham was one of the Class of '92, a group of young players who formed the future of Manchester United, which included Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Beckham.
Together, the they won the FA Youth Cup in 1992, hence the Class of '92 name, and became the core of Ferguson's teams that would go on to dominate the English game.
Alan Hansen's famous quote "you don't win anything with kids" came about as certain members of the Class of '92 began to make their imprint on the Manchester United squad in 1995.
But before Beckham, Gary Neville, Scholes and Giggs began to make their mark on the Premier League in August of that year, Ferguson loaned the midfielder in March, which led to him feeling the Scotsman wanted him gone.
"We'd worked really hard getting youth into the club again and this bunch of young lads became the spirit of Manchester United," Ferguson told BBC Breakfast.
"They added something. Apart from the great abilities they had, they had desire.
"I put Beckham out on loan at Preston [in March 1995] and he thought I was trying to get rid of him, which was not true.
"David was the last to really develop because of his physique. Although he grew to 6ft, he was small and thin as a young kid."
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Many, including Hansen, felt that Ferguson's decision to make the young players in his side as important as they were was a mistake.
But the Scot insisted he had previously done the same when managing north of the border in the SPFL.
"I did exactly the same when I was in charge at St Mirren and Aberdeen," he said.
"I had belief in young people because if you give them an opportunity there are two things that happen -- they become real stars and they can remain loyal to you as a manager."
Ferguson was of course ultimately proven right, in fact quicker than anyone could possibly have imagined, with United going on to win the Premier League and FA Cup in the 1995-96 season, losing only six matches in the league.
United would go on to win the league in four of the next five seasons and lift the 1999 Champions League as part of a famous treble.
Ferguson's bold decision was more than vindicated.
It was one thing choosing to play the youth, it was another to move experienced, hugely talented players on in order to create the pathway for the youth.
That was another thing Ferguson did, opting to allow for both 27-year-old Paul Ince and 31-year-old Mark Hughes to leave the club to join Inter and Chelsea respectively.
Ferguson was warned by United fans not to sell Ince, including one which read: 'Don't sell Incey to Inter - or you'll regret it.'
In the end Ferguson did not take that fan's advice, instead telling the United hierarchy that Ince could leave.
"Paul was a tremendous footballer, there's no doubt about that," Ferguson added.
"He had incredible ability, but I just had that feeling that he just got carried away a bit at the time.
"He then got this offer from Inter Milan. I'm trying to weigh up one thing against the other. I'm looking at Paul Scholes and I said 'should we?'
"Milan's offer went from £7m to £7.5m and I said 'do it.'
"That's what your job is as a manager. You have to make hard decisions, and some decisions don't suit everyone."
