WHEN it comes to delivering motivational speeches in football, Alex Ferguson has a reputation as being one of the best in the business.

And, having sat opposite the knighted Scotsman in his office on the receiving end of one, City midfielder Ross Greenwood has offered an interesting insight into the man who has overseen seven Premiership titles, five FA Cup final triumphs, a Champions League victory and a European Cup Winners' Cup win during 21 years at the Old Trafford helm.

Ferguson is currently focussed on reclaiming the Premiership title Manchester United last won in 2003.

But, as York-born Greenwood revealed this week, Ferguson never neglects the development of United's younger players, whatever his pre-occupations at the top level As an under-16 player for the two-time European champions, Ross, now 21, was one of a select group of schoolboy footballers deemed worthy of an audience with the former Aberdeen and caretaker Scotland manager.

Remembering the occasion in a Press interview this week, Ross said: "A few of the lads in my age group were called into his office one day and, on the wall, there was the famous picture of New York workers eating their lunch perched on the girder above the skyscrapers.

"He told us that football was all about team-work and pointed to the picture, saying that if one man made a false move then they would all fall off. His point was that, working as a team, is all about trust."

Ross soon came to trust that two of his Manchester United contemporaries would go on to make an impact at senior level.

The Tadcaster Grammar pupil played alongside Kieran Richardson and Chris Eagles for United.

Winger Richardson has since scored two goals in six international outings for England, while midfielder Eagles is currently playing top-flight football in Holland on loan at NEC Nijmegen having previously been farmed out to Watford and Sheffield Wednesday.

About his former team-mates, Ross added: "They were both in my age group and you could tell then they had what it took to make the grade."

Sadly, for Copmanthorpe teenager Ross, his Old Trafford odyssey ended when youth-team coach Paul McGuiness told him he would not be offered an apprenticeship.

Ross went on to sign for Sheffield Wednesday and admits his rejection by United has spurred him on to carve out a professional career in football.

He said: "I was actually asked to go for a trial at Nottingham Forest after being spotted playing for York but then Manchester United called my Dad the day before I went and said Whatever you do don't let him sign for Forest because we would like to invite him for a trial as well'. It was unbelievable really.

"I went to Forest and really enjoyed it but Manchester United was a different world.

"It was a great experience but, at the end of my schoolboy terms, they told me they were only getting 60 per cent out of me as a player and that I would benefit from being a big fish in a smaller pond.

"I didn't expect that, to be honest, because a scout from Leeds United had spoken to Manchester United and asked if I was getting my apprenticeship and they had said I was so it came as a bit of a shock when I had to leave because it was so far removed from anywhere I had been before.

"You do not realise what a privileged position you are in at a professional club until somebody says you are not being offered a new contract and you are out of work.

"It makes you more determined to give it everything to stay in that privileged position."

Commercial considerations often seem as important to the Old Trafford hierarchy as football matters, but City supporters can learn more about their own club's off-the-pitch activities on Thursday, January 18.

The Minstermen's commercial general manager Elliot Stroud will be Pocklington Minstermen's guest speaker at the United Services Club in Waterloo Square on that night.

Doors will be open from 7.30pm for an 8pm start with admission free for members and non-members.

City stats

Goals: Donaldson 18, Farrell 4, Woolford 4, Bowey 2, Convery 2, Peat 2, Goodliffe 1, Panther 1, own goal 1.

Assists: Donaldson 9, Bowey 4, Farrell 4, Panther 4, Woolford 4, Bishop 3, Convery 3, Craddock 1, Dudgeon 1, Goodliffe 1, Peat 1.

Bad boys: Craddock, Peat both 1 red, 5 yellow; Donaldson, Panther both 3 yellow; Bowey 1 red, 2 yellow; Dudgeon, Evans both 1 red, 1 yellow; Farrell, Goodliffe, McMahon all 2 yellow; Convery, Greenwood, McGurk, Stamp all 1 yellow.