Paul Ince spoke to the Daily Mail about topics including the inflated transfer fees in today's market and details of his move to Inter Milan.

Thirty-seven years ago this month, Manchester United suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat in the Manchester derby at Maine Road. Afterwards, Sir Alex Ferguson returned to his home in Cheshire, went straight to bed, and buried his head in the pillow. Ferguson later wrote: "We picked the worst possible day to hit rock bottom. The guilt absolutely haunted me."

In the summer of 1989, several newly signed players were staying at the Ramada Hotel in the city centre and had no choice but to hide in their rooms that night. Paul Ince, Neil Webb, Gary Pallister, and Danny Wallace had planned to dine with their partners, but security advised it would be better to order room service.

Ince recalled: "The hotel was packed with fans outside, constantly shouting abuse at us, saying we were useless and things like that. We didn't go out at all that night; we just stayed in our rooms, barely moved. A week earlier, I made my home debut against Millwall, and we won 5-1. I told my wife Claire: 'I like it here; football is easy.' But the derby gave us a harsh lesson about what this match means to Manchester United fans and to the people of Manchester. It's a fierce rivalry between the two teams. Everyone expects us to beat Manchester City. After that, I remember we never lost to them again, and I even scored a few goals, which I was quite proud of."

In fact, it took 13 years and 17 matches before Ferguson's side lost to Manchester City again. The gap in quality between the two teams widened throughout the 1990s, including in Ince's final season at Manchester United, when United won 5-0 over their rivals at Old Trafford, a long-awaited revenge for Manchester United fans.

This week, the two teams will meet again at Old Trafford for the 199th Manchester derby. The dramatic shift in their fortunes, perhaps best illustrated by the difference in midfield investment this summer, is striking.

Manchester City spent a total of £326.6 million on Enzo, Elliott Anderson, and Bouadi, more than double Manchester United's transfer spending (£155 million on Baleba, Santos, and Tielemans). Both clubs have brought in new midfield talent worth nearly £500 million to Manchester.

Ince, who once formed a formidable midfield trio with Bryan Robson and Roy Keane, shook his head repeatedly: "I remember when I joined Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson told me: 'I watched you for two years before deciding to sign you.' Two full years! Now, some players shine for just one season and are worth £100 million."

"Without meaning to disrespect Elliott Anderson, but his previous team, Nottingham Forest, nearly got relegated. Enzo for £125 million? I really can't understand it, it makes no sense at all; the money in the transfer market has gone absolutely mad."

"Manchester United spent £50 million on Santos, who barely played for Chelsea; and then £70 million on Baleba, who was injured all last season and won't return until October. Tielemans was valued at £35 million."

"Compare the performances on the pitch of Roy Keane, Gerrard, Lampard, and these players today, and you'll see that current transfer fees are absolutely insane. Today, Keane and Gerrard would both be worth £200 million."

"Manchester United's midfield in our era was probably one of the strongest in Europe. Bryan Robson was my idol, and Keane was a phenomenal player. It's rare to see players like that anymore. If we sat down together 30 years from now and you asked me who the greatest Manchester United midfielder is, the answer would still be Keane, Robson, and Scholes."

The dynasty built by Ferguson has slowly crumbled over the past 13 years, and in Ince's view, it's not just the midfield; the comparison between then and now is regrettable across the board.

"After the boss left in 2013, we had seven or eight managers come and go like a revolving door. Recruitment has been a disaster, senior management has been equally bad, and there are many problems with how the club is run, so what else can you expect?"

"Manchester United keeps trying different types of manager, but none have succeeded. The club initially gave Solskjaer a two-year contract, and everyone saw what happened next. I just hope Carrick doesn't repeat that pattern. Is he ready to lead a giant club? I can't say."

"It's interesting that someone who was just sacked at Middlesbrough can turn around and take one of the most important jobs in football. The football world is that absurd, but we can't keep constantly changing managers. A manager needs to be given a stable period to manage, and I think Carrick deserves this opportunity."

Ince, who will soon turn 59, is still willing to face challenges, just as he was at 21 when he made his fiery move from West Ham United to Old Trafford in 1989.

He joined several early Premier League legends in a studio on the outskirts of Manchester to participate in a public awareness campaign launched jointly by the British Heart Foundation and Sky Sports, aimed at dispelling misconceptions about defibrillators among fans and easing their concerns about their use.

"There are fewer players with personality in football these days," said Ince. He also played for Inter Milan and Liverpool during his career, and earned 53 caps for England. "Now, players are more concerned with themselves and what others think of them. Everyone is careful, full of worries, and anxious about what they can and can't do. If I were a player today and couldn't handle online comments, I wouldn't touch social media at all. If you can't take it, just stop."

"We weren't afraid to speak our minds back then. If Ferguson said something to me I didn't agree with, I'd tell him straight. It was the same between Roy Keane and me. We'd have disagreements, but when it was time to play, we played well. Off the pitch, we were good friends, fighting side by side. That quality has disappeared now."

Ince also recalled that after a 3-1 victory over Norwich at Carrow Road in 1993, a match that propelled Manchester United towards their long-awaited league title, he and Ferguson had to be separated and calmed down by others. During his time at Manchester United, he won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the European Cup Winners' Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.

Ferguson was always concerned with Ince's flamboyant image as "the Guv'nor" and also wanted to make room for the younger Butt to develop. In the summer of 1995, after Manchester United won the double but missed out on the league title to Blackburn and the FA Cup to Everton, Ferguson, against the wishes of the board, approved Ince's £7.5 million transfer to Inter Milan.

At the time, Ince was playing golf with Giggs at Mottram Golf Club, and Ferguson drove over himself to tell him the decision in person.

"I was on the 17th hole, one shot ahead, and I was shocked when I heard the news," Ince recalled with a laugh; he still plays in tournament series with Giggs today.

In the final stages of completing the deal, Ince was at his home in Bramhall, while his agent and an Inter Milan delegation led by President Moratti were finalizing the contract details. Ferguson, who was on holiday in Colorado, called to try to persuade him to cancel the transfer.

"To be honest, my mind was made up," said Ince. "We were sitting in the kitchen, and Moratti was there with his vice president and some accompanying staff—their usual setup. Sir Alex Ferguson said to me: 'Listen, Paul, I want you to stay here. Butt will be coming through soon, and you'll need to fight for your place.' Without meaning to disrespect Butt, he's a very good player and a good friend of mine, but at that point, he wasn't as good as me. When I heard that, I thought 'no, thanks' and left Manchester United."

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

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