Sir Alex Ferguson Book Launch Begins with Odd Question on Chinese Football

The world is hanging on for any and every tidbit from the autobiography of former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

But despite the anticipation, his book launch got off to a curious start, according to journalists who were in attendance.

There was no opening question about Wayne Rooney or his greatest managerial rivals.

Nothing on Manchester United's current struggles.

Not even a question about the book itself.

Instead, the opening gambit was on Chinese football.

"

A Chinese journalist takes advantage of hesitation over the first question—and asks Ferguson about the future of Chinese football.

— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) October 22, 2013"

"

At Ferguson's book launch press conference now. Institute of Directors. First question is about Chinese football... The burning issue

— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) October 22, 2013"

By the time the embargo was lifted on the book and the press conference later on in the afternoon, a flood of considerably more interesting things had been revealed.

The excerpts were so quickly spread on Twitter than many even claimed that there was no need to buy the book.

"

Fergie's autobiography has just been spilled out onto twitter. There's no need to buy the book, I've got the 'big stories' now. #mufc

— George Nagai (@GeorgeBinco) October 22, 2013"

Amongst the footballers to come in for criticism were David Beckham, Roy Keane, Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.

Although perhaps the most surprising comment on a player was reserved for Owen Hargreaves, whose signing Ferguson described as a "disaster".

The choicest details of Ferguson's autobiography and the subsequent reaction from the football world can be found on our tracker.