Gary Neville has revealed a secret tactic Sir Alex Ferguson used to intimidate referees while Manchester United manager.
Best known for managing United between 1986 and 2013, Ferguson won 38 trophies at Old Trafford, including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Champions League crowns.
Ferguson’s touchline demeanour further enhanced his reputation and legend at United, with the Scot having admitted he tried to influence referees during his time at the club.
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Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, former United captain Neville claimed that Ferguson would try and intimidate the officials before kick-off.
Neville explained: “Sir Alex Ferguson said that we couldn’t leave the dressing room until he was at the front, standing at the door, and he would wait for every player to go past, and he’d be looking down the corridor at the referee’s room and the away dressing room.
“You’d be stood at the door, and he’d be staring down the corridor at the referee’s and the away dressing room, and every single player would walk past him, and he’d shake their hand, and it was every week.
“I didn’t realise this properly until I became captain after Roy Keane had left. When I was captain, standing at the front, Sir Alex would tell me to wait until all the players were in a line and then we could go.”
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Ahead of his retirement in 2013, Ferguson admitted he put pressure on referees to try and help his side, but insisted he only played mind games with opposition managers.
"The fourth official on Sunday [against Swansea] showed me the board and it said eight minutes," Sir Alex told reporters. "I said, 'Think again'.
"That's been a part of it - the pressure you try and put on referees. But I saved mind games for opponents."
Featured Image Credit: Stick to Football/GettyTopics: Football, Gary Neville, Sir Alex Ferguson, Premier League