Sir Alex Ferguson was warned Manchester United superstars like Dimitar Berbatov no player is guaranteed first-team football – no matter what their price tag may be.
Despite his club record £30.75million price tag, Ferguson still left Berbatov out of his starting line-up to face Arsenal on Wednesday.
The on-going uncertainty over Carlos Tevez's United future will not save him either on Tuesday should Ferguson decide the Argentina star is not what he needs for the Champions League semi-final second-leg at the Emirates Stadium.
It is part of a focus that has stood Ferguson in good stead throughout his managerial career, most famously when he axed goalkeeper Jim Leighton for the 1990 FA Cup final replay with Crystal Palace after a miserable performance in the first game at Wembley.
And, no matter what the circumstances, Ferguson will not change.
'Players react differently,' said the United boss.
'Some accept it, others find it hard. It depends on the nature of the personalities. But it doesn't deflect me from picking what I feel is the correct team.
'In 1990, I made the right decision. I was disappointed for the lad at the time because Jim took it badly but that is why I speak to my players before I pick my team.
'You cannot think about how much a player costs when you are picking a team.
'Once that player is signed it is not as if you can go to the tax man and ask for a rebate if he doesn't play.
'Others might not agree with my choice and the recent FA Cup semi-final was a case in point.
'But I never allow anyone to cloud my judgement. I am very clear-minded about that.'
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