RedsUnite: a man utd blog

It appears as though Alex Ferguson will avoid the wrath of the FA following his “gesturing” at the end of Saturday’s match against Reading.  The United boss was rumored to have, “deliberately making an abusive gesture towards Reading fans,” according to the Mirror.  Fergie denied the act, claiming to be, “expressing my relief at winning what was one of our hardest games of the season.”  Reading Boss Steve Coppell found the whole episode complimentary, stating that, “the fact he was so animated at the end was a compliment to Reading that we pushed them so hard.”

I don’t particularly know, or care, whether or not Fergie crossed the line in his gesticulating.  I’m just glad he won’t be suspended.  What does surprise me is the child-like enthusiasm and intensity that Ferguson brings to every match.  This is not a story of a man who has seen only passing success in his career.  We all know Fergie’s resume.  He has had more success than Reading FC is likely to see in its existence.  Yet this doesn’t stop Sir Alex from being wildly animated on the sidelines, from curse-laced tirades on the touchline to jubilant celebrations with colleagues after a goal.  After the run that Fergie has enjoyed over the past 20 years, a pull-ahead goal against a team like Reading would seem ordinary enough where the Scotsman could enjoy it without telling every Reading supporter within earshot where they can stick their blessed Royals.  But his inability to take any amount of stick from anyone–fans, players and media alike–seems to be one of the great wellsprings of inspiration for Ferguson.  Everyone needs motivation and, especially after massive success, finding sources of inspiration must prove increasingly difficult.  He was lucky to avoid suspension, if the allegations are accurate, but if Fergie needs to get suspended once in a while to maintain the fire in his belly that has propelled United to such great heights then so be it.