“You’ll never play for this club again” - Paul Scholes shares what Sir Alex Ferguson told him during bust-up at Manchester United
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes recently shared the details of a bust-up with Sir Alex Ferguson that almost led to his departure from the club. The former midfielder spent his whole career under the legendary Scotsman and both are revered by the Old Trafford faithful.
Scholes won two UEFA Champions League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, and an astonishing 11 English Premier League titles in 713 games for the club. The midfielder scored 153 goals and provided 81 assists in that time. He also represented the Three Lions on 66 occasions, contributing with 14 goals and as many assists.
Scholes's storied history with Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson, however, might have been cut short in the 2001/02 campaign following a 4-3 loss to Newcastle United. Speaking about the bust-up on the Football’s Greatest Eras podcast, the 49-year-old revealed (via The Express):
"I think we're getting beat 3-0 at half time, he brings me on with 20 minutes to go, maybe. And we get back to 3-2. I'm not saying that it's nothing to do with me. We get back to 3-2 and I tried a flick in the middle of the pitch in the center circle, they broke and scored. Alan Shearer scored to make it 4-2. So we couldn't get back into the game. And he went ballistic at me. He went absolutely..."
Scholes went on to detail the disagreement and the legendary manager's words, saying:
“Do you know when I got a b****cking, or the hairdryer, as it was called, I always took it. I never answered back in my life. There were some people, you'll know, there were some people that answered back all the time. But for some reason that day, I kept answering back. I didn't agree with what he was saying. So, he kept saying stuff, 'You'll never play for this club again,' and all that usual kind of stuff. I got back on the bus that night. I remember thinking, 'I'm gone. This is me, Monday morning. I'm signing for somebody else.'"
The Manchester United duo made up after the event, with Sir Alex Ferguson apologizing after reviewing the match. They remained together at the club until 2013 when they both retired.
Legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson reveals his one big fear
Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the most accomplished managers in the history of European football, winning a whopping 38 trophies with Manchester United. Now 82 years old, the legendary Scotsman recently revealed that his greatest fear is the degenerative condition dementia.
Another Red Devils legend, Sir Bobby Charlton, was diagnosed with the condition before his death. Ferguson discussed his concerns about the disease, telling BBC Breakfast:
"I'm 82, obviously I worry about it. Generally my memory is quite good, pray the lord and touch wood it will stay that way. But I worry about it, 100 per cent. I would be lying if I said anything different. I read a lot, I do quizzes a lot and I think that helps. You have those YouTube quizzes, 100 questions, and I think if I don't get to 70 per cent I'm struggling."
Sir Alex Ferguson continues to attend Manchester United games despite his advanced age, 11 years after his triumphant retirement with the English Premier League trophy in his arms. The Old Trafford-based outfit has not won the league since then.