Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes claims Ferguson completely altered his management style after seeing Cristiano Ronaldo’s reaction to one particularly angry tirade
The ferocity of Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary dressing room blowouts is the stuff of football legend.
Few players were spared the notorious hairdryer treatment, although United legend Paul Scholes admitted that Sir Alex did tone down his attacks after witnessing its impact on a young Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Later in [Sir Alex’s] career you see these foreign players… in particular Ronaldo and Nani, and I remember seeing their faces when the manager was going mad,” confessed Scholes to co-host Nicky Butt on the pair’s Football’s Greatest Eras podcast.
Scholes highlighted the adaptability of Sir Alex, saying: “I think he must have seen that and thought, I can’t do this – I can’t treat these players like that. To evolve the way he did through the years was a massive strength.”
The two Class of ’92 graduates also shed light on the different responses to Ferguson’s outbursts, noting Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs as ones to “answer back”.
Butt pointed out that Scholes escaped much of Ferguson’s wrath, being a bit of a “teacher’s pet”. Although Scholes countered by bringing up a sour encounter he had with the legendary coach, showing no player was truly immune from the odd scalding at Old Trafford.
According to the former England man, he feared a fiery encounter with Sir Alex Ferguson had ended his United career after a dramatic 4-3 defeat to Newcastle in 2001.
Scholes was blamed by Fergie for the late winner at St James’ Park. With the game level at 3-3, the Magpies’ eventual winner came after Scholes’ flick to Juan Sebastian Veron was intercepted, leading to Alan Shearer’s decisive goal. Scholes confessed: “He went ballistic on me.”
He continued: “When I got the hairdryer, I took it, I never answered back in my life. But on that day I kept answering back – I didn’t agree with what he was saying.” Ferguson’s response to Scholes’ retorts was blunt: “‘You’ll never play for this club again’.”
Reflecting on the aftermath, Scholes said: “I got back on the bus and I remember thinking, ‘I’m gone here… on Monday morning I’m signing for somebody else’.” Fortunately for Scholes, Sir Alex would later apologise, allowing him to continue his storied career at United.
