Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits he found it difficult offloading the likes of Phil Neville and Nicky Butt as he sought to build his latest Old Trafford team.

Ferguson revealed: "I think we made decisions a couple of years ago about where we were going.

"To build a new team is not easy. When you have been there for 20 years it is bound to happen, you have to rebuild.

"Probably this is my fourth team or maybe even fifth and there are moments when you have to make decisions regarding players' futures which are not easy because you get attached to them.

"Nicky Butt and Phil Neville going had a big impact on the club - and me - because I had been with them since they were kids.

"Roy Keane left as did David Beckham, it changes all the time when you have had players for so long.

"You have to make these decisions but you can't keep them forever and give them a pension - there comes a point when they have to move on.

"Sometimes you have to capitalise on their abilities and then sell players and just let them go."