Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he finds it hard to explain to loyal servants of Manchester United that they can't expect to play week-in, week-out. Despite Ryan Giggs and Edwin Van Der Sar doing so, players such as Paul Scholes - and earlier in the year, Gary Neville - have fallen out of kilter at Old Trafford, writes Pete South... 

  Report By: Pete South, 12:50am

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that at times he has been 'terrified' of telling United veterans their time is up at the club, but insists he must continue to be ruthless for the long-term benefit of the club. Loyal servants such as Phil Neville and Nicky Butt have all left the club in recent years to join Premier League rivals after the Scot felt their time at the club was coming to an end, and was spared the decision after Gary Neville called time on his career earlier this season.

With Ryan Giggs still excelling at the top level and the Welshman signing a one year extension to play next season, Ferguson insisted there is little room for sentiment at the top, but admitted he struggled to cut some ties.

"At United, I've had Ryan Giggs, the Nevilles', Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, who represent the spirit of the club." he said in an interview with the LMA magazine The Manager. "All of the players that I have had here have played a part in my success, so when I see something happening, as in the cases of Butt and Phil Neville, I've had to release them to other opportunities."

"It was getting to the stage that I was terrified of talking to them and telling them they weren't playing. It wasn't fair to them because they were good players and played a big part in the resurrection of Manchester United. When the time came for me to let them go, I knew I was cutting really important, loyal strings and I didn't enjoy it." he added.

Sir Alex also recently admitted he may have to make a difficult decision about the future of Owen Hargreaves, who has endured a dreadful time since joining United, playing little football as he continues to struggle with knee problems. Such is the nature of Ferguson’s long term success that players generally tend to stay with United for the duration of their career, meaning the former Aberdeen boss is forced to act.

Scholes could also present Ferguson with a problem following his sending off against Manchester City on Saturday. The midfielder said it was 'not nice' to find himself on the periphery of the team for both Champions League ties against Chelsea recently, and added he would decide on his own future at the end of the season.

The United boss is unlikely to push Scholesy before he jumps after showing his ability to excel in the Premier League despite his advanced years, with football betting edging towards The Red Devil legend playing on for one more season. After his disastrous sending off against City, Scholes will likely be desperate to not end his last derby game on the losing side.

Scholes will miss games against Everton and Arsenal, having already sat-out the 0-0 draw with Newcastle. But United will welcome back Wayne Rooney and Jonny Evans, who return from their own suspensions. Football Bets have placed United as clear favourites to extend their lead at the top against Everton at Old Trafford, after Arsenal dropped more points against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.