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Liam O’Brien Says Ferguson Hung Up After 1988 Man United Exit in New Memoir

In Pass Master, he explains why leaving for Newcastle still feels right to him.

Overview

  • O’Brien recounts telling Sir Alex Ferguson he had signed for Newcastle, after which he says the manager ended the call and did not speak to him for months before relations eventually thawed.
  • He says a £400-per-week offer from United prompted him to seek greater security, leading to a reported handshake agreement with Willie McFaul and Colin Suggett at Hartshead Moor service station.
  • He writes that he has no regrets about leaving Old Trafford despite the success Manchester United went on to achieve under Ferguson.
  • O’Brien recalls being sent off 85 seconds into his United debut at Southampton, noting Ferguson later reviewed the footage with him and chose not to fine him.
  • He reflects on becoming a fan favourite during Newcastle’s resurgence under Kevin Keegan and frames the book as a legacy project for his family.