Monday, November 4, 2013
Ferguson led United for 26 years before retiring this summer and being replaced by David Moyes. He previously announced his intention to stand down in 2002 and although Ferguson later reversed that decision, Eriksson claims he was approached to replace the Scot and accepted a deal.
In an extract from the book, reproduced in the Mail on Sunday, Eriksson wrote: "I knew it would be tricky. I had a contract with England until the 2006 World Cup and I would be severely criticised if I broke that contract.
"But this was an opportunity to manage Manchester United. A contract was signed – I was United's new manager."
The 2006 tournament itself gave rise to further issues as Eriksson selected Rooney, who had been battling a broken metatarsal in the weeks leading up to the squad announcement.
