The Old Guard is being tested, and Napoleon - oops sorry, Ferguson - is about to encounter his Waterloo. For years he's tramped up and down the country, subduing upstarts and maintaining the old order of things. Now a former protege with the backing of foreign powers is advancing on the enemy sronghold, and the new drum beat is attracting Premier League stalwarts to the cause.
Rally to us ! Help defeat the enemy ! Good money available to all who join up. The battle cry is enough for any testosterone-fuelled malcontent from another squad to rally to the cause.
Riches, glory, trophies, titles - well, riches anyway at this stage - has always played a part in warfare. Booty was often the motivation for enlisted men, except that it's being paid up-front now. No wonder the Old Guard is rattled. The intervention of wealthy foreign powers really has put Fergie under duress. Let battle commence.
