Sir Alex Ferguson, 66 tomorrow, was incensed when his Manchester United first-team squad let down themselves and the club with an infamous Christmas Party of excess that attracted lurid headlines and resulted in one of his players being accused of rape.
Now Ferguson has warned all his players that they face the chop if they step out of line again.
He said: "Football has changed but you cannot lose your control.
"We make changes here at Manchester United when we see anyone interfering with that control. When we see this it's time for them to go."
Until now, Ferguson has kept his counsel, at least in public, about the party that led to Jonny Evans being arrested.
But he is said to be furious about the damaging publicity the pre-Christmas binge inevitably attracted.
Ferguson's mood was unlikely to have been lightened by his team's surrendering of top spot in the Premier League to Arsenal by losing 2-1 at West Ham on Saturday.
The man whio has been in charge at Old Trafford for 21 success-laden years, explained: "Times have changed for me as a manager.
"But this club is based on everyone together. When anyone starts going off at tangents you have to make changes."
And he accused some of today's top players of being selfish and obsessed with a 'celebrity' culture.
"What annoys me about some footballers today is the personal glory thing," he added.
"They score a goal and knock players out of the road so they can get personal gratification and play to the fans.
"The present day footballer needs to be noticed with his ear-rings and tattoos. But people in general need to be noticed, it's not just footballers.
"They don't go to small, intimate restaurants, they go to places that are big and bright where you are seen and get noticed. It is difficult to control."
Now Ferguson has warned all his players that they face the chop if they step out of line again.
He said: "Football has changed but you cannot lose your control.
"We make changes here at Manchester United when we see anyone interfering with that control. When we see this it's time for them to go."
Until now, Ferguson has kept his counsel, at least in public, about the party that led to Jonny Evans being arrested.
But he is said to be furious about the damaging publicity the pre-Christmas binge inevitably attracted.
Ferguson's mood was unlikely to have been lightened by his team's surrendering of top spot in the Premier League to Arsenal by losing 2-1 at West Ham on Saturday.
The man whio has been in charge at Old Trafford for 21 success-laden years, explained: "Times have changed for me as a manager.
"But this club is based on everyone together. When anyone starts going off at tangents you have to make changes."
And he accused some of today's top players of being selfish and obsessed with a 'celebrity' culture.
"What annoys me about some footballers today is the personal glory thing," he added.
"They score a goal and knock players out of the road so they can get personal gratification and play to the fans.
"The present day footballer needs to be noticed with his ear-rings and tattoos. But people in general need to be noticed, it's not just footballers.
"They don't go to small, intimate restaurants, they go to places that are big and bright where you are seen and get noticed. It is difficult to control."
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