Sir Alex Ferguson once caught demanding reporter be banned for asking Ryan Giggs question

Sir Alex Ferguson was once overheard telling a Manchester United press officer to ban a journalist who asked him a question about Ryan Giggs.

Back in 2011, the no-nonsense Scot was speaking to the press ahead of the Champions League final between United and Barcelona when he was asked about Giggs.

Earlier that week, the Welshman was named in the House of Commons as the footballer who had an alleged extra-marital affair with reality TV figure and model Imogen Thomas.

So when a journalist asked Ferguson how important Giggs would be against Barcelona, the United boss instructed press officer Karen Shotbolt to take action.

Here's how the conversation played out in full:

Journalist: "The most important experienced player in the Champions League is obviously Ryan Giggs. How important is he for the team on Saturday?"

Ferguson: "All the players are important to us."

Ferguson (to press officer): "The guy that asked the question about Giggsy... the press conference."

Press officer: "Which one?"

Ferguson: "Him that asked the question... who?"

Press officer: "Oh yeah. I'll tell you later."

Ferguson: "Who?"

Press officer: "I'll tell you later."

Ferguson: "Is he coming on Friday"

Press officer: "The guy with the laptop?"

Ferguson: "Aye. Then we'll get him. Ban him on Friday."

In other news, Manchester United reportedly banned four outlets from Erik ten Hag's press conference on Tuesday.

That's according to the Manchester Evening News, who state that a United spokesperson said the ban has been imposed as the club was not approached for comment on a multiply-sourced story that Ten Hag is losing the confidence of some players over his tactics and signings."

Sky Sports chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol, the Manchester Evening News' chief Manchester United correspondent Samuel Luckhurst, The Mirror's David McDonnell and Rob Dawson of ESPN were all blocked from attending the press conference, say the Daily Mail.

United confirmed the club had "taken action against several news organisations not for publishing stories we don’t like, but for doing so without contacting us first to give us the opportunity to comment, challenge or contextualise."

They added: "We believe this is an important principle to defend and we hope it can lead to a re-set in the way we work together."

Topics: Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United, Premier League, Ryan Giggs

Jack Kenmare

Senior Journalist at SPORTbible with a passion for long-form journalism. Almost 10 years’ experience across online and print.

@jackkenmare_