Man Utd decided to withdraw from the FA Cup in a decision that shocked English football in 1999

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted that he had “regretted” the circumstances which led Manchester United withdraw from the FA Cup following a so-called “political situation”.

It was a moment that shocked English football to his heart. In fact, some criticisms have since argued that the FA Cup has never completely recovered from the decision.

In the summer of 1999, just a few weeks after raising the oldest National Cup competition with Victory on Newcastle, United opted against the trophy so that they could play in the club world championship.

One month after finishing the triple and United published a statement to confirm controversial news.

“We realize that many of our supporters will be as disappointed as we are of our decision not to participate in the FA Cup,” they said. “Manchester United considers it as an opportunity to compete for the ultimate honor to be the very first club champions of the club.”

Unfortunately for the club and its fans, United’s attempt to win the tournament in Brazil ended suddenly after suffering a 3-1 defeat against Vasco da Gama in January.

At the time, Ferguson said that the South American time had rejuvenated his players, who was going to keep their first league title by 18 recommended points.

“It was fantastic here-what a chance for us to go out and make sun,” he said. “Back home, we would have frozen our toes. It was well organized, the Brazilian people took care of us very well. On the side of the game, we want us to have been better.”

But a decade later, Ferguson revealed his regret of the decision, revealing that they did it to try to help the candidacy of England welcomed the World Cup in 2006.

“It turned out to be a disaster for us,” he told Club Magazine Inside United In 2009. “We did it to help the candidacy of the England World Cup and it was the political situation.

“I regretted it because we only had stick and terrible reviews not to be in FA Cup when really, it was not at all of our fault. The football association and the government estimated that playing in this tournament would help the candidacy of England to welcome the 2006 World Cup.”

He added: “There were a lot of undue criticism – but it was a big two -week break.”

The saga has turned into a versatile disaster, with the candidacy of the England World Cup and United’s attempts to win the world championships in inaugural clubs that ended badly after the defensive errors.

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