Drinkwater recalls Ferguson shutting him down over 'unfair' contract at Manchester United

Danny Drinkwater has lifted the lid on a tense contract standoff with Sir Alex Ferguson during his early years at Manchester United, describing how the legendary manager swiftly shut down his pay demands when he was just 18 years old.

The former Leicester and Chelsea midfielder spent 13 years in United’s youth ranks at Carrington without making a first-team appearance, but still had to negotiate professional contracts with Ferguson — an experience he describes as both nerve-wracking and formative.

Speaking to The Athletic, Drinkwater recalled enlisting Gary Neville as an unlikely intermediary to push for a better deal. “Gaz Neville had already been in twice for me and got it increased,” he said. “We’re talking about like five grand, not a week, a year. And then I’ve said ‘I don’t feel it’s fair, Gaz.’”

Neville made a second attempt on Drinkwater’s behalf, but returned empty-handed — and with a blunt message. “Even Gaz has said ‘f** hell Drinks, you’re playing reserve football, what do you expect?’” Drinkwater recalled.

Undeterred, the midfielder went directly to Ferguson, with predictable results. “The gaffer just hammered me,” he said. “And I’ve been like ‘yeah, alright, sweet.’” He added that he understood the reaction in hindsight: “I was only 18 and it was only my first or my second pro deal. I’ve gone in to talk about how it’s not fair and he just shut me down, which is absolutely fine — you’re the God.”

Drinkwater also reflected on his decision to use an agent at 15, something he believes complicated matters given Ferguson’s well-documented aversion to agents. “I knew he hated agents. As a kid, do you need an agent? I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t think I really needed one. I think that was the period I asked Gaz Neville to go in as a great figure in the club.”

He was generous in his praise of Neville’s role at the club beyond the pitch. “He did that for quite a lot of players. He was top around the club — brilliant.”

Drinkwater left United permanently for Leicester, where he went on to win the Premier League title in 2016 as part of Claudio Ranieri’s remarkable side. Looking back on the Ferguson confrontation, he says the nerves were real but the lesson was valuable. “It was a great experience but I was nervous for that.”