"I get a call..." - Ex-Man Utd star says Ferguson gave him just five minutes to make crucial career decision

Former Manchester United forward Fraizer Campbell has recalled the time that Sir Alex Ferguson gave him a five minute ultimatum to decide his future at the club.

The former Huddersfield Town, Hull City and Cardiff City striker made his first senior appearance under Ferguson in August 2007, the same season the Red Devils went on to lift the Premier League trophy.

Ferguson is known for being a 'man manager', notoriously managing to get the best out of complicated characters such as Eric Cantona.

And Campbell has opened up on yet another fascinating Ferguson tale, describing his pivotal role in Dimitar Berbatov's transfer to Old Trafford.

Ferguson: "I’m going to ring you back in five minutes"

In an interview with MUTV's UTD Podcast, Campbell recalls the events of transfer deadline day in 2008, when in typical 'Fergie time' fashion, he was given five minutes to decide his next career move.

"It was the international break, so I was with the England Under-20s or Under-21s, I know I’m going on loan, and I’m sat with Steve Bruce, he was at Wigan at the time," said Campbell.

"So, I’m going on loan to Wigan, just speaking to the people and waiting for the faxes to come through so I could sign.

"It’s getting later, waiting for this fax to come through and I get a call from a withheld number, so I was like hello?

"And [Sir Alex says:] 'Oh, Fraizer, it’s Sir Alex here. I’m going to ring you back in five minutes and you’re going to need to give me your answer, but I’ve got a deal for Berbatov going through, it’s 30 million pounds, it’s only going to go through if you agree to go there on loan. So, I’m going to ring you back in three or four minutes with your decision. Speak to you in minute.'

"And that was it."

Campbell, then just 20, went on to spend the 2008/09 season at White Hart Lane as part of an exchange for Berbatov joining United. The Bulgarian went on to make 149 appearances under the Scotsman, scoring 56 goals along the way, and cementing his name into the Old Trafford history books.

“I was hardly going to say no,” Campbell added.

“So, I told Steve and he was like 'ah no, you’re killing me. I’ve come to bring you to Wigan.'

“But I couldn’t ring him back and say 'no I don’t fancy it, to be honest'. I don’t think that would have gone down well so I was just like 'well, looks like I’m going Spurs' and that was it.”

Topics: Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Dimitar Berbatov, Premier League, Football

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno