Sir Alex Ferguson made sure one Manchester United legend knew what it would take to succeed at Old Trafford and completely altered his former player’s mindset.
The legendary 82-year-old former Manchester United manager has been out of the dugout since he called it time on his illustrious career in 2013.
Sir Alex Ferguson is widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time, with the iconic Scot making an incredible long-lasting mark at United and Aberdeen.
The United legend engineered the Red Devils’ 13 Premier League title wins, including their last league trophy at the end of the 2012-23 campaign.
Ferguson was also the first manager in history to lead an English club to a continental treble, with United pulling off the feat in the 1998-99 campaign.
The former Aberdeen boss was well known for his ruthless approach at times as United manager and Ferguson ensured his authority remained challenged.
Ferguson’s comment to Man Utd legend
Manchester United broke the British record transfer fee at the time to sign Rio Ferdinand from Leeds United for a fee worth £30m.
Rio Ferdinand spent the large majority of his United career under Sir Alex Ferguson and the TNT Sports pundit became a key defensive figure for the Scotsman.
During his time at Old Trafford, the 46-year-old United legend lifted six Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy and two League Cups.
Ferdinand made a whopping 455 appearances for the Red Devils before the footballer-turned-pundit signed for Queens Park Rangers in 2014.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former United defender recalled that he “went out every night” after he suffered a pre-season injury.
Ferdinand was ruled out of action for the opening weeks of the season, but the United legend received a warning from Ferguson over his behaviour off the pitch.
“I signed with United and I know from being with England that the United guys liked a drink, but they were really conditioned and professional at the right times, not crazy, like, doing it four times a week […],” he said.
“I got injured in a pre-season game before the season started and I was out for six weeks.
“I went out every night, I wanted to see what the atmosphere was like, what the vibes were like.
“But the manager found out and slowed me down with one comment: ‘You want to stay here? You better watch what you do.’”
Ferdinand’s wake-up call after Ferguson’s remarks
Rio Ferdinand, who called it time on his remarkable playing career, admitted that he knuckled down at Old Trafford after Ferguson called him out on his lifestyle.
He added: “And then I realised if I wanted to be successful, as I’m going in half-cut when training starts thinking, ‘Gary Neville ain’t going out, Scholesy [Paul Scholes] ain’t going out, Roy’s [Roy Keane] not going out, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s not going out.’
“And the sessions are sharp man, every day, I had to curb that and become much more professional, fit in with the guys, and then my game got better and I grew into a better player.”
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