Body Language Expert Sheds Light On Sir Alex Ferguson-Ed Woodward Debate

By Mike Parrott

After Sir Alex Ferguson and Ed Woodward were caught in a supposed altercation at Bramall Lane on Sunday, a body language expert has revealed what might have happened.

Manchester United's disastrous start and unbelievable comeback against Sheffield United on Sunday weren't the only moments that caught the headlines.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Ed Woodward were caught in a supposed altercation in the stands of Bramall Lane, and with United in crisis mode, no one knows what was said.

The Mirror asked Judi James, a Body Language expert on what could've been said:

"Ed Woodward's very animated body language here suggests he's making some extremely lively and emphatic points to Sir Alex Ferguson while looking less than in awe of the Man United legend, who has a reputation for making some fiery points of his own in the past."

James went on to say that even though there was an altercation, it seemed like it was more in a humorous manner, rather than an aggressive, or personal altercation:

"The rounding of his cheeks and the slight pursing of his lips suggest overall good humour in Ed's approach but he is using enough signals of fight or battle here to suggest he's firmly standing his ground in the face of what could be any criticism from Ferguson."

Supposedly, the way both Woodward and Sir Alex are pointing at each other symbolises their 'weapons':

"The impression of a battle between the two men comes primarily from the way the pointed fingers are being employed."

"This gesture is like an invitation to a 'duel', with the index fingers acting as weapon-substitutes.
In this case Woodward appears to avoid aiming any direct pointing with the back of the hand on top at Ferguson, which would form the kind of mimed 'poking/prodding' gesture that can often prompt an angry response."

The picture does then show some form of altercation, but rather a heated debate between the Manchester United legend and their infamous Director:

"The one shot where he is pointing directly he keeps his hand palm-upward, suggesting he's keen to win verbal points rather than engage in an angry fight."

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