Diego Forlán has revealed that he got the boot from Manchester United because of the length of his studs. Forlán admitted he defied Sir Alex Ferguson over his choice of footwear.
The Uruguay striker, who is set return to England with Atlético Madrid to face Chelsea in the Champions league group stage on 21 October, said: "Ferguson wanted me to play with long studs, the interchangeable ones that suit wet pitches, but I feel more comfortable in short ones.
"I agreed to change but I didn't and, against Chelsea, I slipped in front of goal and wasted a chance.
"Afterwards, I rushed to the dressing room to change boots but Ferguson caught me. He grabbed the boots and threw them. That was my last game for United."
The match, on 15 August 2004, saw Forlán used as a 73rd-minute substitute as United lost 1-0 to José Mourinho's Chelsea. Forlán, who was signed by Ferguson on the recommendation of his brother Martin, then the United chief scout, for £7.5m, scored just 10 goals in 63 league appearances, and 17 in 98 appearances in all competitions.
Forlán has since enjoyed a highly successful career in Spain since he left United for Villarreal just a week after that fateful Chelsea match, twice winning the European Golden Boot as the continent's leading goalscorer.
And he admits that he has now buried the hatchet with Ferguson, and says the United manager even asks his advice on possible South American signings.
Forlán said: "When we were in London [with Villarreal before a Champions League game against Arsenal] Ferguson showed up at our hotel. I still have a good relationship with Sir Alex and his brother Martin. We have conversations and sometimes he asks me about South American players I might know of."