Another previously little-heard story regarding Sir Alex Ferguson's superb man-management skills has recently come to light, thanks to Jonathan Greening.
The midfielder spent the early part of his career at Manchester United and played for three years under Ferguson between 1998 and 2001.
He struggled to make the grade at the club and played just 26 times for the Red Devils, but still left with three Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a Champions League title under his belt.
Greening made his United debut in a League Cup tie against Bury in that famous 1998/99 treble-winning season, and he spoke about the Scot's heartfelt gesture in the build-up to the match.
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"Ferguson was brilliant with me; I remember on my debut, he didn't tell me I was playing," said the midfielder, speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes at its launch of the 5-A-Side Bet on Man United v Man City in quotes published by The Mirror.
"About an hour and a half before kick-off the gaffer finally told me I was starting, and I was like 'brilliant'.
"I wanted to get in touch with my mum and dad but Fergie had already invited them, along with the rest of my family - without me knowing; so they knew I was making my debut before I did."
"That was absolutely first class from him, and it brought the best out of me because I think I got man of the match in that game," he said.
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United won the game 2-0 thanks to goals from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik Nevland, with the youngster teeing up the former for the first goal.
"We won the game and I just remember thinking 'how lucky am I?' I'd just played in front of over 60,000 people at Old Trafford, got man of the match and set up a goal for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer; it was just incredible," he added.
Greening moved onto Middlesbrough in 2001 and was at the club when they triumphed 2-1 over Bolton Wanderers in the 2004 League Cup Final.
He subsequently went on to play in the Premier League for West Bromwich Albion and Fulham, before heading to Barnsley and Nottingham Forest in the latter stages of his career.
Topics: Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Premier League, League Cup, Champions League, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer