Rio Ferdinand has explained the ultimate advantage that legendary ex-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had over any manager in world football right now.
Sir Alex Ferguson brought Rio Ferdinand to Old Trafford in 2002 after Manchester United signed him from Leeds United for a transfer fee of £30m.
Ferdinand, who broke the British record transfer fee twice in his legendary career, made 455 appearances for United during his prolific Red Devils career.
The 46-year-old United legend became a linchpin figure for Ferguson in defence and is widely considered one of the best defenders in Premier League history.
Ferdinand struck up a formidable partnership with fellow United legend Nemanja Vidic and the pair had a sensational impact during their time at Old Trafford.
During his spell with the Premier League club, Ferdinand lifted six Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy and two League Cups under Ferguson.
The former United and England defender played the majority of his United career under Ferguson before the Scotsman retired from football management in 2013.
Ferdinand on Ferguson’s ‘intel’ at Man Utd
Rio Ferdinand played under former Manchester United manager David Moyes before the Red Devils legend left Old Trafford in 2014.
The ex-United centre-back signed for Queens Park Rangers and had a brief spell with the club, with Ferdinand retiring from football in 2015.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Ferdinand recalled his time under Aberdeen and United legend Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.
The former England international revealed that Ferguson “knew everything” about his players, including what they were doing off the pitch.
United players from the past have openly spoken about Ferguson’s interest in their personal lives and the 83-year-old Scotsman personally kept himself in the loop.
Ferdinand claimed that “everyone” in the city of Manchester “wanted to talk” to Ferguson and the iconic Scot secured all-important “intel” on his players.
“Everyone in the city wanted to talk to him,” he said.
“Everyone in the city is telling him what the players are drinking or what they are eating.
“When they are out and what they are doing. He knew everything. Managers don’t get that info nowadays, that intel.”
Ferdinand explains how Ferguson knew everything
Ferdinand said that Ferguson would be aware of specific locations that his players were at or visited due to various people informing the former United manager.
“You had nightclub managers who were ringing in, taking pictures and sending in the receipts of players’ bills,” he continued.
“Like, who is getting that now? Who is running a city like that?
“If you had a party at your house, he would know about it. Because your driver or security was telling him and they are working for you.
“But they are working for him as well, what is going on?
“It was almost like mafia-type stuff. It was just and you had to learn quickly because if you didn’t, you were gone.”
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