It is well known that Sir Alex Ferguson was never too close with his players. The legendary Scotsman maintained a strict relationship with his squad, and sharp words were reserved not just for his team, but also for referees and fellow managers. Raised in a different era, Ferguson learned early on that there was no room for emotion in football, especially not in the locker room. Everyone knew their role in his teams, and there was no tolerance for soft tackles or surrender on the pitch. Discipline and obedience were non-negotiable and that, in turn, brought Manchester United a haul of trophies.‘The spilled tea was everywhere’: Pogba’s agent reveals quarrel with Alex FergusonWith Ferguson at the helm, Manchester United lifted 38 trophies, including two UEFA Champions League titles and 13 Premier League crowns. Since his departure from Old Trafford, however, the club has struggled to regain its footing. Year after year, the decline has seemed deeper. A couple of FA Cups and League Cups have been added to the trophy cabinet, along with a Europa League title, and there’s a new opportunity looming in the upcoming Europa League final against Tottenham. Still, all of it feels a far cry from Manchester United’s golden era. New debate: Sir Alex’s guilt for United’s demiseSince Ferguson’s retirement, the hot seat in the Old Trafford duggout has been occupied by David Moyes, Ryan Giggs, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick, Ralf Rangnick, Erik ten Hag, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and currently, Ruben Amorim. Each brought their own approach – some echoing Ferguson’s ‘old-school’ philosophy, others opting for a more modern touch.But what was it really like under Ferguson’s reign? Former left-back Patrice Evra offered a rare glimpse in a recent appearance on the SDS Podcast.”If Ferguson were coaching today, he’d probably end up in jail,” Evra said with a mix of humor and candor. “There’s no way he’d get away with the things he did. You have no idea how many players I saw crying because he shouted at them or threw whatever he could get his hands on.”##NAJAVA_MECA_8926090##Evra also recalled a chilling moment involving Nani during a 2011 match against Liverpool at Anfield. After a rough challenge from Jamie Carragher, the Portuguese winger was left injured and in tears on the turf, eventually carried off the pitch on a stretcher. While most teammates tried to comfort him, not everyone was empathetic.”Paul Scholes swore at him, and Ferguson told him: ‘I hope your leg is broken, because a Manchester United player doesn’t cry at Anfield,'” Evra revealed. “We were terrible people. I want to apologize to the younger players who trained with us. After the match, we waited until the next day just to tear into Nani. We were animals. We didn’t care how he was feeling. If you cried, you were finished – you weren’t part of the team. Ferguson had to give him a week off to recover, because we absolutely destroyed him with criticism. Even now, in our Manchester United WhatsApp group, we occasionally post that picture of Nani crying at Anfield.”‘I throw you all in a bag of s**t!Evra also recalled a story about a missed penalty by a young Danny Welbeck during a friendly match in Saudi Arabia. Wayne Rooney had let Welbeck take the penalty, but he missed, and United lost the 45-minute exhibition match.”When we got back to the dressing room, Ferguson started yelling, ‘Welbeeeeck! Welbeeeeck!’ But Danny was in the restroom. Still, Fergie kept shouting: ‘Who do you think you are? You just joined the first team and you miss a penalty? How is that possible?!’ I tried to calm him down, reminded him it was just a friendly, but he turned on me and barked, ‘Get out! You and your friendly matches!'”##NAJAVA_MECA_8925242##Now 83, Sir Alex still watches matches at Old Trafford, but only from the stands. And it’s hard not to wonder: does Manchester United still need someone like him, someone who can raise their voice and bring order to a dressing room full of high salaries and even higher expectations?
