Sir Alex Ferguson only allowed one Man Utd figure to make fun of him during his time at Old Trafford

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Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson allowed only one person to poke fun at him during his legendary career at Old Trafford, according to Rio Ferdinand.

Ferguson was known for his no-nonsense approach and wasn’t afraid to take one of his United players to task with his infamous ‘hairdryer treatment.’

The United legend pulled no punches towards the likes of Roy Keane, with David Beckham, Louis Saha and Paul Ince among those who were blasted by Ferguson.

However, Ferguson relied on his United players to instil a particular mentality in the squad, with Gary Neville recently revealing three locker room leaders that he had.

Ferguson, who claimed five players ‘could never be left out’ of a United side, called it time on his career in 2013 after leading the Red Devils to the Premier League title.

Irrespective of his status or even how he treated players, Ferguson held the utmost respect for certain figures and one such person was allowed to make fun of him.

READ MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson claimed Premier League legend was not a ‘top player,’ despite trying to sign him for Man Utd twice

Ferdinand on Ferguson’s respect for a dinner lady

Ferdinand, who enjoyed incredible success under Ferguson at Old Trafford, previously opened up on his ‘Manchester aunt’ Carol during his time at the club.

Carol served as a dinner lady at United’s Carrington training complex and was admired by players and staff, with Ferdinand calling her a “funny lady.”

However, Ferdinand also recalled an instance where the long-serving United dinner lady hilariously aimed a brutal swipe at Ferguson over his dress sense.

“Carol was a very funny lady. I loved speaking to her and having a laugh over a cup of tea at the training ground,” he said in 2020 (via The Sun).

“She would treat everybody the same, academy players, Premier League champions or Sir Alex Ferguson, one of the biggest names in the history of football.

“I remember once he walked in wearing a smart pair of cream chinos as I was talking to Carol, she stopped our conversation and just said to him, ‘What are you wearing?!’ which made us all laugh.”

Ferguson shared special relationship with Carol

Ferguson’s incredible trophy haul at United included a whopping 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, five FA Cups and four League Cups.

The 81-year-old legendary Scotsman remains an influential presence at Old Trafford, with Ferguson widely admired by both his former players and staff at the club.

Ferdinand admitted that people ‘didn’t see the other side’ of Ferguson at United, with the pundit spotlighting his former manager’s relationship with dinner lady Carol.

Speaking on Ferguson and Carol (as per BBC Sport in 2015), he said: “There is a dinner lady at United called Carol — she hammers him. ‘What you got on? What is that?’

“He would go back at her and talk about her hair or something. That is the way he is. People don’t see that side of him but he was really good like that.”