Sir Alex Ferguson, widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in Premier League history, once threatened to remove a young Manchester United player from the club after discovering an incident during his time on international duty.
Ferguson is celebrated for transforming Manchester United into a global football powerhouse, leading the club to 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies. Known for his no-nonsense approach, Ferguson instilled discipline in his players, as evidenced by a memorable encounter with former midfielder Michael Stewart.
During an appearance on Premier Sports’ Scottish Football Social Club, Stewart recalled a time when he faced the wrath of Ferguson. He shared the experience of playing for the Scotland U21 team against Northern Ireland, where, in the dying moments of the match, he picked up the ball to slam it to the ground after a controversial foul call. However, the wet conditions caused the ball to slip from his grip, hitting the referee, which led to Stewart receiving a red card.
The next day, as he traveled back to Manchester, Stewart thought the incident might be forgotten. But upon arriving at the training ground, he was told that Ferguson wanted to see him.
“I went up to his office, and he tore me apart,” Stewart recalled. “He said, ‘If you ever think about doing something like that again, your backside will be out that door before it touches the ground.’ He emphasized that he knew everything that happened during international duties.”
Ferguson’s strong words left a lasting impression on Stewart, highlighting the strict standards expected of players representing Manchester United.
Credit: Sport Bible
