Sharpe Reveals Insights on Ferguson: Trophies, Outbursts & Changing Partners
Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary former manager of Manchester United, was known for his fiery temper and passionate outbursts. Lee Sharpe, a former player under Ferguson, recently shared some insights into the manager’s infamous rants and his approach to managing the team. In a podcast interview, Sharpe recounted the aftermath of Eric Cantona’s kung-fu kick incident at Selhurst Park in 1995, a moment that shocked the football world.
The incident occurred during a game against Crystal Palace when Cantona, who had already been sent off, went into the crowd and kicked a fan. Sharpe recalled that the entire Manchester United team was expecting Ferguson to unleash his anger on them for their poor performance. However, to their surprise, the manager focused his ire solely on Cantona. Sharpe said, “We’re all nudging each other like schoolkids and giggling and then he starts on everyone. ‘Pallister, you can’t head it, you can’t tackle. Keane, you’ve not laid a glove on anybody. Sharpe, you can’t run, you can’t tackle, you can’t pass it. Andy Cole, you can’t trap a bag of cement. And Eric, you can’t go around doing things like that, son’. I just sat and shrugged. It was unbelievable.”
Despite these intense moments, Sharpe also spoke highly of Ferguson’s fatherly approach towards him. He mentioned how Ferguson shielded him from the press when he first joined Manchester United and how the manager took care of him like a father figure. Sharpe reminisced about Ferguson meeting him at the train station on his first day and allowing him to move in with his girlfriend at a young age. However, Sharpe also noted that Ferguson maintained strict control over his players’ lives and would interfere if their performances suffered. He shared an incident when Ferguson changed the team’s formation, leading to a poor performance from Sharpe. The manager then told him to sell his house, sell his dog, and send his girlfriend back home.
Sharpe also revealed that many players, including himself, would try to avoid Ferguson whenever possible. They would hear his footsteps coming down the corridor and quickly go in the opposite direction. However, avoiding the manager wasn’t always possible, as Ferguson had an eye for detail and would even thwart nights out. Sharpe recalled an incident when he and Ryan Giggs were caught by Ferguson after a tip-off from Giggs’ mother. The manager kicked everyone out and gave Sharpe and Giggs a fierce dressing down.
Despite the intense moments and occasional clashes with Ferguson, Sharpe acknowledged the immense success they achieved under the manager’s guidance. During his time at Manchester United, Sharpe won numerous trophies, including three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, the League Cup, three FA Charity Shields, and a European Cup Winners’ Cup. Ferguson’s attention to detail and meticulous management style played a significant role in shaping the success of the team.
In conclusion, Lee Sharpe’s recent revelations provide a fascinating insight into the intense and passionate nature of Sir Alex Ferguson. While his outbursts and disciplinary measures may have been extreme at times, there is no denying the impact he had on Manchester United during his 26-year tenure. His meticulous approach to managing players and his ability to extract the best out of them led to an incredible haul of trophies. Sharpe’s anecdotes highlight both the challenges and rewards of playing under one of football’s greatest managers.