'Slave' Kuszczak has made his last United blunder by crossing Fergie

By David Anderson

Published 11:21 08/11/11

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You would think that after all the reminiscing about Sir Alex Ferguson's 25 years, Tomasz Kuszczak would have realised the golden rule at Old Trafford.

No-one crosses Fergie.

Paul Ince, Jaap Stam, David Beckham, Gabriel Heinze, Ruud van Nistelrooy - even Roy Keane in the end - made that mistake.

They are angered Ferguson in some way and were shown the door.

Ferguson does not stand for dissent in his dressing room and his phenomenal success has been built on his unquestioned authority.

Kuszczak's moan that he's been treated "like a slave" at United will have gone down like a lead balloon with Fergie.

He had big hopes for Kuszczak when he signed him from West Brom six years ago, but the Pole has never lived up to those expectations.

Fergie thought he might emerge as a successor to Edwin van der Sar, only to conclude that he wasn't good enough.

So he signed Anders Lindegaard and David De Gea and Kuszczak is now fourth choice at United behind Ben Amos.

He hasn't played yet this season and last pulled on a jersey for the first team against Blackburn on May 14 on the day they won the title.

His blast was prompted by Fergie's refusal to let him join Leeds on loan and Simon Grayson is desperate for a new stopper after Paul Rachubka's nightmare against Blackpool.

He wants to join a Championship club on loan now to get some action and doesn't want to wait until the January transfer window.

But while his rant ensures he is finished at United, he will only go on Fergie's terms when he feels the time is right for United.

Dimitar Berbatov is in a similar position at Old Trafford and last season's joint top scorer in the Premier League has been relegated to fourth choice in the strikers' pecking order.

Galatasaray want him in January, but again Fergie will only let him go on his terms if it suits him.

Berbatov's contract expires next season, but United have the option of extending it for another 12 months on their own terms, effectively tying the Bulgarian to the club until June 2013.

In the meantime, Ferguson is happy to have the option of Berbatov to wheel out in the Carling Cup or some dead rubber in Europe to give Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck or Javier Hernandez a breather.

Age certainly hasn't dimmed Fergie's cunning when it comes to handling his players.

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