Legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson banned the use of his popular nickname at Old Trafford having only spared two players from his infamous hairdryer treatment.
The iconic Scot was in charge of the Red Devils between 1986 and 2013, leading the club to 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League s and a whole host of other trophies. Alongside that, the Scot also developed a reputation of having a furious temper should his players not necessarily perform the way expected of them.
Former United winger Ashley Young has revealed that he was only one of two players to have avoided Ferguson’s famous ‘hairdryer’ treatment during his time at Old Trafford, whilst also reccounting that the Scot was not a fan of his widely-used nickname. Speaking to The Telegraph, the current Aston Villa star said: “You can’t say ‘Fergie’ either,”
“That’s not allowed. He’s ‘The Boss’. Just to let you know!”
He added: “We have a WhatsApp group for the old [Manchester United] players and we think there were only two out of the era who didn’t get shouted at. I was one and the other was Darren Fletcher. I don’t know whether that is because he is Scottish.”
Young has certainly played under some of the most successful managers in the game during his lengthy career - Ferguson, Antonio Conte, Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal all among those.
What is your best memory of Sir Alex at Man Utd? Share your thoughts in the comments below
The now 37-year-old ranks the legendary Man Utd boss as the one that has taught him the most throughout his career although it appears Ferguson is struggling to adapt to the modern game, something that hasn’t been too much of a struggle for Young. He continued: “I won’t say the best but the one who has given me the most is ‘The Boss’. Sir Alex.
“The one I still talk to most is ‘The Boss’. I had a conversation with him a few months ago and he was talking about the changes in football and how he would be in football nowadays.
“I won’t go into the conversation … I don’t know if he’s impressed by certain changes. But the way ‘The Boss’ was for years, the success he had - he had his way of dealing with players, of dealing with the press, whatever else there was.
“How he had his team set up. How he knew his team - weeks, months, in advance. The way he was with players. I am not too sure how that would be seen these days.”
Young has already been reunited with his former club a number of times this season. He started in a 4-2 defeat in the third round of the Carabao Cup, whilst he also made an 11-minute cameo in a fantastic 3-1 victory over the Red Devils back in November.
The two sides also played out a 2-2 draw during pre-season with ex- Arsenal defender Calum Chambers netting a stoppage time equaliser.
