Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has recounted being a “nervous wreck” while preparing to meet Sir Alex Ferguson in his office.
The Scot developed the reputation of a tough taskmaster during his time at Old Trafford. His no-nonsense approach to discipline worked wonders as the Red Devils lifted 13 Premier League titles during his time with the club.
That did not stop the players at his disposal quivering at the thought of going to see the former Aberdeen boss in his Carrington office - one of those being former defender Ferdinand. After Ferguson was named in the Premier League Hall of Fame on Wednesday, the Englishman said of his former manager: “There were only ever two reasons why he called you into his office.
"If he was trying to run something by you: ‘What do you think of this? I'm thinking about this’. [The] second reason would always be because you are in a heap of trouble. I got called a few times to his office, but it wasn’t a nice walk.
“It was like when you were a kid and your dad used to call you and you knew you were bang in trouble. You've been suspended or a report had been sent home.
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“I used to think, ‘Oh my God, my dad's going to kill me’. That's the feeling you used to get when you used to go up to his office; I was a nervous wreck. You would either get the hairdryer or a nice warm hello.”
Ferdinand has also opened up on his first meeting with Ferguson after he completed a move from fierce rivals Leeds in 2002 for what was then a world-record fee for a defender, revealing he was overcome with nerves.
“[The day I signed] he was there, and he walks in the room… well, he's got an aura about him, a good energy,” Ferdinand added. “He's just so humble as well. I think he realises the effect and impact he does have on people.
“His duty almost immediately is to settle the room, and he does that always with a bit of humour. But I was dead nervous! I just wanted the ink to dry… and until that moment I couldn't really relax. That's another one of his great traits, he could read people and read a room quickly and react to that.”
Ferdinand was a key part of what was one of the most successful periods in United's history. During his time at Old Trafford, he made over 450 appearances for the club, lifting six Premier League titles, the Champions League and a whole host of other trophies.
