Sir Alex Ferguson admits to 'hairdryer treatment' but did not 'rule by fear'
Thursday 10 November 2016 15:08, UK
Sir Alex Ferguson insists he "never ruled by fear" at Manchester United despite revealing the infamous 'hairdryer treatment' happened more than once.
Wayne Rooney claimed in his book there was "nothing worse" than the so-called 'hairdryer treatment', but Ferguson has now lifted the lid on the matter and insists he only ever looked to bring out a positive attitude from his team.
"There was a lot of myth about it. It happened about half a dozen times in 27 years and the players will tell you that," Ferguson said at the World Business Forum in Milan in quotes reported by The Sun.
"The problem for me was if a player answered me back, I headed towards them. That was my problem.
"Jock Stein always said to me, 'Leave it until Monday to talk to them,' but I said I couldn't wait until Monday. So, on a Saturday after the game, I told them exactly how I felt, because we had trained at a level all week that I expected to win every game.
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"I told them exactly the truth and the truth works. All the players understood that and it was never held against me. Then the next day it is pushed aside and I'm prepared to win again. I never ruled by fear.
"Name a Manchester United team that played with fear. My job was to get a positive attitude into that team, for them to express themselves, never give in and enjoy playing for the club. That is sacrosanct."
Current United manager Jose Mourinho has come under pressure for his public criticism of members of his squad following United's 3-1 win over Swansea on Sunday, with Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor declaring his disappointment.
United have won just one of their last five Premier League games and lie sixth in the table. Mourinho's side will face Arsenal in their next top flight fixture on November 19, live on Sky Sports 1.
