Former Manchester United fullback Patrice Evra revealed that, by challenging him to get the better of Lionel Messi in front of all his teammates, Sir Alex Ferguson inspired him to a dominant performance against Barcelona in the 2008 Champions League semi-final.
United’s most successful manager of all time was famed for his mind games. Opposition coaches wilted under his witty retorts while rival players and referees could be made to bend to his will. Even his own squad wasn’t spared from Ferguson’s psychological manipulation.
