Ferguson's brutal response to ex-Man Utd stars shows authority never lessened

Irish Daily Mirror

21-07-2025

Sir Alex Ferguson continues to hold the respect of his former Manchester United players, even when he's causing a bit of a stir.
Ferguson, who left United in 2013 after a 26-year reign, still has a significant impact on the club.
The 83 year old mentored hundreds of players during his tenure at Old Trafford, with many considering his guidance as life-altering.
Many of his former players are now trying to make their way as managers – and one of them was on Rio Ferdinand's podcast recently. Michael Carrick joined his former United team-mate on Rio Ferdinand Presents for a detailed chat about their era at the club, the current crop and Carrick's own insights as a coach.
Carrick spoke about Kobbie Mainoo, Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes, the genius of Paul Scholes and much more, before Ferguson derailed their chat. Recording in an empty restaurant, Ferguson gate-crashed the recording and was not happy to see the cameras and microphones.
Walking into the shot, Ferguson said abruptly: "What's this? I'm not doing this podcast!" Ferdinand responded: "Alright boss? No, no, no. We're going to talk after. You go and get a coffee, boss."
Carrick added: "No, we're just finishing now." Ferguson replied: "Oh, you're just finishing?" Carrick: "Yeah, don't worry, this is not for you."
Ferdinand: "We're going to get a bit of food with you after. You've not dressed for the camera, boss, have you? You've not dressed up for the cameras." Carrick: "Have a quick coffee, boss, and we'll be with you in a sec. Did you think this was for you?" (Image: PA)
Ferguson: "I'll go sit over here. I just want to listen to the nonsense that you talk!"
After taking a seat just behind Ferdinand off-camera, Ferguson still managed to interrupt. Five minutes later, his phone rang very loudly, interrupting their conversation. But Ferdinand was clear: "It's fine, it's the gaffer, we've just got to get on with it!"
That deference that Ferdinand and Carrick show Ferguson should come as no surprise, given the respect they have for their former manager. Ferguson won 38 trophies during his tenure at United, from 1986 to 2013, including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups and two Champions League titles.
He led his players with an authoritarian style, which some responded well to, and his workaholic nature inspired many. "He was an animal. When you look back at his age, how long he'd been at the club - his appetite for the game, his appetite for rebuilding a team, it was crazy," Ferdinand once reflected.
"Even in the last year of his time at Man United, he's coming in earlier than everyone else. Nine times out of 10, you walk out to the car and he's still there."