SIR ALEX FERGUSON became frustrated with the commercial nature of Manchester United in his last years there as a manager.
That is according to former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal.
Ferguson retired from United in 2013 after 27 years in charge, during which time he won 13 league titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups and two Champions League trophies.
His hand-picked successor, David Moyes, lasted only 10 months before he was given the boot for a terribly below-par season.
Van Gaal was selected by the United board to replace Moyes, arriving in Manchester with a wealth of experience at top European clubs.
The brash Dutchman was a constant source of entertainment for English football fans and the media - even if his football wasn’t.
Van Gaal instilled an insipid, possession-based style of football at Old Trafford, but was one of the most charismatic, provocative managers the Premier League has seen.
He did, however, struggle with the club’s white-collars, many of whom have no wealth of prior football experience.
Ed Woodward, a former accountant and investment banker, is the executive vice-chairman at United while Matt Judge, who has a masters degree in economics and finance, negotiates fees and contracts.
The pair joined as Ferguson left alongside Woodward’s predecessor David Gill, with whom he had a strong relationship, and have focused on the club’s commercial value more than footballing relations.
"Unfortunately, we are talking about a commercial club, not a football club,” Van Gaal told BBC Sport in a wide-ranging interview.
The club are in the process of appointing a director of football, but have not done so yet.
"At the moment there is a structure with a scouting division and above that is someone at Woodward's right hand,” Van Gaal added.