24 April 2023 , 14:08
801
0
Rio Ferdinand has recalled the time he received the 'hairdryer' treatment from Sir Alex Ferguson after losing his rag in a Champions League clash.
Ferdinand spent 12 years at United after signing for a then British transfer record of £29.3million in 2002. The centre back became a mainstay under Ferdinand, and was an integral figure in their six Premier League title wins, also winning Europe's most elite trophy in 2007/08.
But that didn't mean he was spared Ferguson's wrath if he stepped out of line. On his Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE YouTube programme this week, Ferdinand was joined by the man with whom he formed such an accomplished partnership at Old Trafford, Nemanja Vidic.
During a fascinating discussion, Ferguson's infamous authoritarian style came up. And Ferdinand explained how he once learnt a valuable lesson after trying to cross the boss.
"I remember when I argued with him at Bayern," he said. "When he made a decision, he brought on Berba (Dimitar Berbatov), and I was screaming on the pitch and in the tunnel. And we come in the changing room and I'm screaming, then the manager was like 'shut up'."
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
Sir Alex Ferguson signed Rio Ferdinand from Leeds in 2002 (Getty Images)The Scot then opened up on his star defender, with Ferdinand eventually advised my teammates to leave things lie. "He came at me with the hairdryer and went crazy," he added. "I was arguing, a little bit, and I remember you (Vidic) and Gary (Neville) said 'leave it'.
"I got on the plane, and I was not arguing with you (Vidic) but we were having a discussion about it. And you were like 'Rio, there's rules, and if you wanna stay here, you might not like it, you have to abide by these rules. And talking back in front of the whole team like that, you're not gonna stay here long'."
Ironically, Vidic had arrived at Old Trafford four years after Ferdinand signed, but clearly learnt quickly about the values instilled at Old Trafford. And he too recalled an amusing time when Ferguson approached him in training shortly a day before the Champions League final, to ask him how he was feeling amid a problematic calf injury.
"I started to say something and he just went 'your playing tomorrow ' and just left." United would go on to beat Chelsea on penalties in Moscow, although neither centre back needed to take a spot kick.