Wayne Rooney shared some brilliant insight into Sir Alex Ferguson's innate man-management skills last night.
The Everton striker, and Manchester United's record goalscorer, appeared on Monday Night Football alongside Jamie Carragher and was very, very good throughout.
As well as analysing Chelsea's dismal 4-1 defeat to Watford, Rooney talked about a wide range of topics, including Sir Alex and his dressing room antics.
It's common knowledge that Fergie, the most successful manager in Manchester United history, loved dishing out a good bollocking when necessary.
Rooney regularly received the "hairdryer treatment" and says that type of confrontation worked with him as it would get a reaction out on the pitch.
However, it did not have a positive effect for someone like Nani, with Rooney explaining he would "lose" him.
So much so, that Fergie would rant at Rooney when he wanted improvement from Nani.
"His man-management without a doubt," Rooney said, when asked what Ferguson's biggest strength was.
Advert
"As a manager he was the best. He knew how to speak to players, how to get a reaction.
"So many times at half-time I had played well and others in the dressing room hadn't but he'd come for me. He knew there'd be a shouting match but it'd get a reaction from me.
"If he did it to another player, for example Nani - he knew he'd lose the player but he just knew the right thing to do. He'd tell me to stop dribbling, aiming it at Nani!
"He's the only manager that could leave someone out and make them feel good about it. He was incredible. He knew how to get a reaction."
Rooney also revealed that the legendary Scotsman wouldn't go overboard with his tactics, often leaving it to the players to address issues on the pitch.
"Some of his team talks were, 'Go and win the game,'" he explained.
"'You 11 players are better than their 11 players, go and win the game and work it out for yourselves on the pitch.'
"If we got a player sent off, the players would work out how we change the formation themselves on the pitch and if there was a problem the manager would change it.
"In the big games, that's where he'd get his tactics right."
Very fascinating details from Rooney, who surprised plenty of people with how well he came across on MNF. He may well have a future in punditry.Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Premier League, Everton, Man United, Nani, Old Trafford, Wayne Rooney
