Sir Alex Ferguson did not hold back with his ruthless approach towards one Manchester United legend during his remarkable reign at Old Trafford.
The 83-year-old Scotsman is widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time after his time in England with the Red Devils and in Scotland with Aberdeen.
Sir Alex Ferguson led Manchester United to a whopping 13 Premier League title wins, including the Red Devils’ last league trophy in the 2012-13 campaign.
The legendary former United manager was also the first head coach to lead an English club to a continental treble, which the Red Devils achieved in 1999.
During his 26-year run at the Premier League club, Ferguson also lifted two Champions League trophies, five FA Cups and four League Cups with United.
Ferguson called it time on his illustrious managerial career in 2013, but the United legend has remained an ever-present figure at Old Trafford in the stands.
Man Utd legend talks Ferguson incident
Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary reign at Manchester United was well-known for the Scotsman dropping his infamous ‘hairdryer treatment’ on his former players.
The former Aberdeen and United boss wasn’t afraid to put his players on blast and Ferguson pulled no punches when it was necessary.
Denis Irwin was no different and the 59-year-old United legend found himself in the direct firing line on one occasion during his time at Old Trafford.
The Irishman was widely admired by Ferguson and Denis Irwin had a sensational impact during his prolific playing spell at the Red Devils.
Irwin is considered one of the best Premier League left-backs of all time and the former United defender excelled on either flank as a full-back.
The ex-United star was also proficient from set-pieces like penalties and free-kicks and Irwin made 529 appearances during his time at Old Trafford.
Irwin recently linked up with former United teammates Gary Neville and Roy Keane and recalled when Ferguson took aim at him.
“I remember the first proper time he had a go at me,” he said on The Overlap’s Stick to Football show.
“We used to play down at Wimbledon, and he never played me. It was Viv [Anderson] right-back, ‘Brucey’ [Steve Bruce], ‘Pally’ [Gary Pallister] and ‘Mal’ [Mal Donaghy] – four centre-halves, for the height.
“He brought me on with about 10 minutes to go – on the left wing. He kept the same back four – ‘Robbo’ [Bryan Robson] played the ball to me, and I’ve gone through.
“Hans Segers was in goal – I’ve gone around him and got a penalty. I thought, ‘Brilliant!’”
Man Utd legend Irwin felt Ferguson’s wrath
Denis Irwin lifted seven Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, a European Cup Winners’ Cup, two FA Cups and a League Cup with United.
The former Republic of Ireland international left Old Trafford in 2002 and went on to play for Wolves before calling it time on his glittering playing career.
Irwin added that Ferguson “shouted” at him for not passing to United legend Mark Hughes, despite winning a penalty for his side in the match.
The United legend continued: “We won 1-0, ‘Brucey’ missed the penalty, we’ve come back in, and he shouted at me: ‘What were you doing there?’
“I said: ‘Well, we got a penalty’, and he said: ‘Well, you should have passed to ‘Sparky’ [Mark Hughes]!’ That’s the way he was – just little things like that.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/JuqeFVU