Sir Alex Ferguson: I stopped Wayne Rooney earning twice my salary

In his new book 'Leading', which was published on Tuesday, Ferguson claims owners the Glazer family and then chief executive David Gill asked him how he felt about the fact that Wayne Rooney was about to get a big pay rise by signing a new deal following protracted negotiations that took place while he was also linked with other clubs in the media.

The former United manager recalls: "I told them I did not think it fair that Rooney should earn twice what I made and (joint-chairman) Joel Glazer immediately said: 'I totally agree with you but what should we do'?"

"It was simple. We just agreed that no player should be paid more than me.

"We agreed in less time than it takes to read the previous sentence."

In the book Ferguson speaks candidly about the leadership techniques that served him so well during his trophy-laden 26-year spell at Old Trafford.

The Scot also details a number of mistakes he made during his stewardship of the Red Devils.

Ferguson admits the handover to successor David Moyes, who was sacked less than a year into a six-year contract, could have been handled better.

"I understand why critics, particularly in light of the 2013-14 season, say we should have handled the transition better," Ferguson said.

The 73-year-old insists he was never tempted to return to the dugout following Moyes' dismissal.

"There were some who wanted me to return to the sidelines. But I was not tempted," he said.

It is entirely logical that a manager should earn more than his players. He is their superior, he picks the team and bears all the responsibility when results are not forthcoming. But in most clubs, the opposite is true. The extreme player power which comes from the commercial income superstars generate mean that in the modern game, often the most important man in the dressing room is not the guy with the suit and tie. Ferguson's success at building an unassailable power bloc will not be repeated often in the years to come.