14
PLEASE TURn OFF YOUR MOBILE PHOn ES
Paul Parker United defender, 1991-96
Once, Steve Bruce’s wife was in hospital having a back operation, so
he left his phone on in the dressing room during a match. The first
half didn’t go well, and while we were all sat in the dressing room
during half-time, the phone started ringing. Everything went quiet
and you could see Brucie’s face drop. “It was me,” he said. The gaffer
ran across to him, grabbed the phone and then threw it against the
wall, smashing it to pieces.15
GRACIOUS In DEFEAT (SOMETIMES, An YWAY)
Peter Reid R ival manager
He made so many brave decisions as a manager. At times I’d think,
‘What’s he doing?’ but he’d be proven right. We had quite a few
games against each other, starting when I came in as boss of
[Manchester] City in 1990, and we were always both desperate to win.
We’d exchange a few harsh words on the touchline, and when we’d
have a glass of wine after the game then whoever had lost – usually
me! – wouldn’t be in a great mood at first, but he isn’t as terrible a
loser as he’s made out to be. I was the Sunderland manager when we
were fighting relegation and beat them 2-1 at Roker Park [in March
1997]. The first thing he said to me was, “It’ll keep you up, that.”
And we f**king went down! So he’s not always right...16
MORE TEA, ALEX?
Dion Dublin United striker, 1992-94
I remember one game from early on in my time at
Old Trafford, when I left the ground with Ryan
Giggs. There were fans everywhere, and Giggsy
was the top man at the time. I didn’t know
which way to get out of the stadium and
Giggsy had to try to avoid being mobbed, so
we weaved through the back corridors, the
kitchens, through all these doors, and we
ended up going through the laundry room. I
did a double take when I spotted, sat behind
one of the washing machines, Alex Ferguson,
who was having a cup of tea with the laundry
ladies before he went home.Whether it was Ryan Giggs, Eric Cantona, some lad who had just
signed from Cambridge United or the laundry ladies, he always had
the personal touch.17
REMEMBER THE n AME
David May United defender, 1994-2003
The one thing that always sticks out about the gaffer is that he knew
absolutely everybody – whether it was the tea lady, the laundry girls
or the players’ wives, he knew all of their names. I bumped into him
in Malta 10 years after I had retired, and I couldn’t believe that he still
remembered my wife’s name. He was asking about each of my
children by name. He has got an unbelievable memory for people and
their names.18
IF YOU’RE STAn DIn G STILL, YOU’RE GOIn G BACKWARDS
Paul McGuinness Academy director, 1992-2016
I remember being in the car with him, driving from The Cliff [training
ground] to Old Trafford the day after the club had won the league –
and he was on the phone, talking about a transfer. I was thinking,
‘This guy’s not stopping for a minute.’ As soon as the final whistle
went and the league title had been won, then he was straight onto
thinking about the next one.
He was incessant – he wouldn’t stop. He would keep changing things,
adding new players, new staff or new ideas. They won the league, then
he added two or three top players. Everyone was on their toes.
Everything had to keep moving – no part of the club could stagnate.19
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
Luke Chadwick United winger, 1999-2004
A massive thing for the gaffer was making you feel important. As a
14-year-old I took part in a trial game for United against Nottingham
Forest. I got home by train, and by the time I got back he’d already
phoned my mum to say they wanted to sign me. When you get home
and hear that, it makes you feel incredible. Even at Under-9 or Under-
10 level he knew your name and asked about your family. He made
you feel amazing. That gives you huge confidence to express yourself.20
BETWEEn THE SHEETS WITH ALEX FERGUSOn
Nick Littlehales Consultant sleep coach, 1998-
Alex came to visit the Slumberland factory over in Oldham towards
the end of the 1998-99 season. United were about to win the Treble,
and there was a sense that it was like royalty was coming.
There were no airs and graces. Even when we asked to take some
pictures of him lying on a bed, outside, with his head on a football, he
was open to it. You could sense that he wouldn’t ask you to do
anything he wasn’t prepared to do himself.FERGIE