Sir Alex Ferguson showed exactly why no player in Manchester United’s history should dare question his tactics after a huge row with one of his former signings.
The legendary ex-United boss wasn’t afraid to express his admiration for his players, even going as far as to pick out the four world-class stars he had at Old Trafford.
Ferguson was also revered for his no-nonsense approach, with the iconic Scotsman going to town on his players during one of his infamous ‘hairdryer treatments.’
The United legend also had a different side to him during his remarkable 26-year reign, with Rio Ferdinand revealing the one figure who could make fun of Ferguson.
However, Ferguson’s authority and status at United was undisputable and he showed exactly why during a heated confrontation with one of his former players.
Paul Ince on standoff with Ferguson at United
Paul Ince, who was recently asked if his move to Liverpool was a ‘cardinal sin,’ arrived at Old Trafford under Ferguson and enjoyed considerable success at United.
The ex-Red Devils star was a huge influence for Ferguson in United’s midfield, with Ince often praised by his former teammates for the role he would play at the club.
However, Ince wasn’t afraid to speak his mind and had a hot-tempered relationship with Ferguson, who famously referred to him as “big-time Charlie” and “bottler.”
During the 1992-93 season, the 56-year-old ex-United man, who was known as ‘The Guvnor,’ took issue with Ferguson’s tactics against then-title rivals Norwich City.
Both Ince and Ferguson would clash over the aforementioned issue and the pair wouldn’t speak to one another for 48 hours.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “That was it, we got back on the coach, he didn’t speak to me, I didn’t speak to him.
“We came back in [to training] on the Thursday and were playing head tennis and Fergie was the referee.
“I hadn’t spoken to him for 48 hours, hadn’t said good morning or anything.
“It was first to 11, the score was 10-10 and the ball went up in the air, I did an overhead kick, the ball went right in the corner of the court and we won the game 11-10, we were jumping about celebrating.
“Sir Alex shouts ‘ball was out’ but it wasn’t out, but because I wasn’t speaking to him I couldn’t say anything.”
Ferguson’s brutal message to Ince
Despite being sold to Inter Milan for £7.5m in 1995, Ince has appeared to put his rivalry aside with Ferguson and praised the ex-United manager’s brilliance.
Ince even admitted that he “started to laugh” after Ferguson settled their spat by taking aim at his famous nickname, which led to them speaking again.
“It was just bubbling inside me, but because I hadn’t talked to him in 48 hours I couldn’t contest the decision and he said, ‘Winners, them,’” he continued.
“I’m walking away and all of a sudden he shouts, ‘Incey!’
“I turned around and he said, ‘There’s only one guvnor here, son!’ and I started to laugh and after that we were speaking again and that was it.
“That was the greatness of the man.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/967ULRH