Sir Alex Ferguson was renowned for giving players the hairdryer treatment if they stepped out of line during his incredibly successful 26 years at Manchester United.
Replacing Sir Alex Ferguson has proven to be the most difficult task for Manchester United since his retirement in 2023. Many managers have tried and failed to fill the void left by the greatest there has ever been.
Over almost three decades at Old Trafford, Ferguson experienced an array of highs, but it was not always easy sailing.
There was no shortage of bust-ups and some of the fall-outs still exist to this day, if you consider how Roy Keane and Ferguson don’t see eye-to-eye. The Scot dished out the hairdryer treatment on multiple occasions, which continues to be documented by his former players.
Man Utd icon Sir Alex Ferguson perfectly captures the ethos of believing in youngsters 🔥👏
Giving young people an opportunity is a fantastic thing and they very seldom let you down. These lads never let me down when they put that jersey on.
Sir Alex Ferguson speaking at the opening of Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium in 2017
Robin van Persie enjoyed Sir Alex Ferguson’s hairdryer treatment
Robin van Persie spent one season under Ferguson and won the Premier League.
The Dutch striker left Arsenal for United in a shock transfer only to help deliver Ferguson’s final Premier League title in 2013.
Speaking to SEG (football agency responsible for Van Persie, Erik ten Hag and others) for a podcast, the former United striker provided insight into Ferguson’s hairdryer treatment.
Van Persie enjoyed Ferguson’s outburst, despite not even being on the receiving end of one.
When asked if he ever got the hairdryer treatment from Ferguson, the 42-year-old said: “No, unfortunately not. No, but I actually would have loved to.
“But I did witness a few of those hairdryer treatments.
“Well, I’m not going to say [who it was aimed at]. One of the bigger names, let’s put it that way. And it was really… yeah, it was actually quite something to experience.
“It starts from about two metres away, and then he gets closer, closer. Then he gets louder and louder, man.
“The shouting—unbelievable. It was really something to see.”
Van Persie was then asked what the other players were doing while Ferguson unleashed his anger at one of their star teammates.
“Well, at that moment it was at half-time. He was firing everyone up, and then he really went after one of the better, more established players.”
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Robin van Persie enjoyed Sir Alex Ferguson’s hairdryer treatment
- The Dutch striker was never on the receiving end of it
- Van Persie won the Premier League title in his only season under Ferguson
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Man Utd had a Ballon d'Or winner who never played at a World Cup.
Robin van Persie impressing at Feyenoord
Van Persie took his second managerial gig in February 2025 when he became Feyenoord manager, returning to the club he spent many years at as a player.
Van Persie’s Feyenoord side finished second in the past Eredivisie campaign, qualifying for the Champions League.
That means there is a possibility that Van Persie could return to Old Trafford next season in Europe’s biggest competition.
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