Seven years ago today, Sir Alex Ferguson made his final walk down the Old Trafford tunnel as Manchester United manager.
The legendary Scotsman lifted 13 Premier League titles and two European Cups including a historic Treble as he made the impossible possible at the Theatre of Dreams.
Throughout his 26 years as manager at United, few would have been brave enough to get into a verbal battle with the man famous for his ‘hairdryer treatment’.
But Paul Scholes has revealed that members of the Class of the 92 who would love to challenge ferocious Ferguson after a match.
The United great was discussing the first time he stood up to Ferguson during a game away to Newcastle where his mistake led to a goal for Alan Shearer.
“It was the first time I ever answered back,” Scholes told Savage Social, as quoted by the Metro.
“It was never something I would ever do because I’d seen people answer back to him, I’d seen Incey answer back and Schmeichel – and it doesn’t end well. Trust me. I just kept answering back to him. I was wrong really. That was never me. Whenever I was getting a ‘b*****king, I just took it and took it and took it.
“But for this one occasion I thought it was merited, I thought I’d made a little bit of a difference to the team, got us back into the game really.
“Some people loved arguing with him. Giggsy is one. He can’t keep his mouth shut, whether he’s right or wrong it doesn’t matter.
“Beckham was the same. He’d always have a pop back but I’d never say a word.”
It would never have been wise to engage in a verbal altercation with a man of Ferguson’s stature. But it’s interesting to hear that some players would be brave enough to answer back to the boss.
Beckham’s dressing room bust-up with Ferguson after a mistake in an FA Cup tie against Arsenal in 2003 is infamous and would spell the end of his United career in 2003.
Giggs, meanwhile, appears from the outside as more of a reserved character and was the model professional during his two decades at United.
READ MORE: Video: Remembering Sir Alex Ferguson’s special Old Trafford finale 7 years on
