Britain's most successful manager brought an end to his
26-year career with the Red Devils after leading them to a 20th English
top-flight title last season, ending a legacy of dominance which reached far
beyond just the pitch.
One example of reported favouritism came in the form of
'Fergie time', where a fourth official was often adjudged to have awarded more
injury-time minutes to United when in a losing position than other teams
received.
In fact, Ferguson
had, on average, received 40 seconds more added time when trailing in any given
game compared to current manager David Moyes.
Recalling one particular incident in the Premier League in
1997, Gallagher told Sportlobster TV: "I remember going to Old Trafford at
the end of the season. Manchester United had three games that week and I was
given the game on the bank holiday Monday. It was chucking it down with rain
and Fergie pulled me aside and said 'do me a favour, call the game off'.
"I asked why and he said 'there's nowhere else to fit
this game in and the Premier League will have to extend the season. We'll have
a better chance of winning the match and we'll win the league at Old Trafford'.
"At half time United were losing 3-1 and the pitch was
like a swimming pool. As we came off he said 'I know we're 3-1 down but please
call it off, we could do with a hand here'. They managed to pull it back to 3-3
and in the last minute Dennis Irwin ran into the box and went down in front of
the Stretford End and I only gave a goal kick.
"At full time Fergie sprinted across the pitch and
shouted at me furiously. My wife said, 'Fergie had a right go at you about that
penalty didn't he'. I told her he hadn't mentioned the penalty. She asked why
he came tearing across the pitch at me then. The truth is he ran over and asked
me if I was going out to dinner that night. I said 'no' and he asked 'why are
we leaving so early then?"
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