The Old Trafford boss is facing a clear-out, with the futures of several stars up in the air.
United head to Newcastle tonight knowing they could still end the season by lifting both the Premier League and Champions League trophies.
But there are question marks over up to TEN of their squad going into the close season and Fergie says he has never let emotions get in the way. He admitted: "It's a horrible thing to say but you can't be sentimental in this job.
"My job is to manage United, to produce results and I am no different from any other manager. I'll not be regarded in the same way if I'm not successful.
"If it's on the football field and I see something I feel is a retrograde step, I have to act and make decisions.
"In management, you have to be able to make decisions - sometimes you're not right. But it doesn't concern me too much because the important thing is being able to do it."
Keeper Edwin van der Sar, 40, is joining Gary Neville, 36, in retirement and Paul Scholes, also 36, is leaning towards hanging up his boots.
United have an option to extend the former Tottenham striker's deal, which has a year to run, by a further 12 months but he is unlikely to be happy with his current bit-part role.
Ferguson has been forced to make key decisions in the past even with some of his favourite players. And he will have to make more this summer as he revealed last month he could bring in three new signings in the close season.
Some will inevitably make way and the United chief added: "I love the players that I've had and I've been very, very fortunate to have had great players who have come through my career with me.
"At Aberdeen there were the likes of Miller, McLeish, and Kennedy, who were players that were very loyal to me.
"At United I've had Giggs, the Nevilles, Scholes and Butt, who represent the spirit of the club. All of the players that I have had here have played a part in my success.
"So when I see something happening, as in the cases of Nicky Butt and Phil Neville, I have had to release them to other opportunities.
"It was getting to the stage that I was terrified of talking to them and telling them they weren't playing.
"When the time came for me to let them go, I knew I was cutting really important, loyal strings and I didn't enjoy it."
Meanwhile, Berbatov could pay the price for his misses on Saturday in the 1-0 FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City by being benched at Newcastle tonight.
The Bulgarian fluffed two great chances to put United in control early on.
But Wayne Rooney returns from his two-match ban for swearing into a TV camera and Javier Hernandez looks set to get the nod alongside him.
Van der Sar insists his glittering career can still finish on a double next month.
The loss at Wembley denied the Dutchman the chance of winning the only domestic medal which has eluded him during his six years with the Red Devils. But Arsenal's late slip in drawing 1-1 against Liverpool on Sunday has put United in control of the title race - while they are in the last four of the Champions League.
Van der Sar insists nobody is feeling too gloomy.
He said: "People have been talking up the Treble, making comparisons with 1999 but as players we don't think about that. Hopefully we get the other two. It won't be difficult to pick ourselves up. We know how important the league is. We are in first position, so we have to make the best of it.
United, who still have to go to Arsenal on May 1, know 13 points from their last six matches will be enough to clinch a 19th league title.
source: Thesun.co.uk
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