London, Jan. 22 : Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has warned his multimillionaire players: `Step out of my control and you''re dead.'

"If I lose control of these multi-millionaires in the Manchester United dressing room, then I''m dead. So, I never lose control. If anyone steps out of my control, that''s them dead," The Sun quoted Ferguson, as saying.

Fergie has earned a reputation for knowing exactly the right moment to kill off the United careers of his star names.

David Beckham, Roy Keane, Jaap Stam and Ruud van Nistelrooy were all booted out by Fergie.

"Through my development, I''ve come across two issues - power and control. Control is important, very, very important. My control is the most important thing," he said while delivering a lecture in Dublin.

Among the current United lot, Nani - is already getting some of the famous Ferguson treatment.

In November, the 17-million pound Portuguese winger whinged about his lack of chances in big games and since then, Nani has featured just twice in the first team.

Dutch defender Stam was flogged to Lazio in 2001 after his controversial autobiography criticised his team-mates.

Two years later, Beckham was sent packing to Real Madrid after a hugely-publicised spat with Ferguson.

Even Roy Keane quit in December 2005 to join Celtic for the last six months of his playing career, after going public with his criticism of the team.

The following year Dutch hitman Van Nistelrooy fell foul of his boss, and was sold to Real Madrid. (ANI)