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The Balloon Popping Incident At Stamford Bridge That Almost Cost Mike Phelan His Job

The Balloon Popping Incident At Stamford Bridge That Almost Cost Mike Phelan His Job

An iconic moment at The Bridge.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

It was an incident that almost cost Mike Phelan his position at Manchester United. "It got in my head, so I popped the balloon and nearly lost my job!" he said in 2014, six years after he was told to "f**k off" by one of the greatest managers of all time.

Phelan is adamant that it's the one moment that "made him famous", regardless of what he did on and off the pitch.

It was a spur of the moment move from the former Hull City manager, who grabbed the yellow, stray balloon and popped it; much to the annoyance of Sir Alex Ferguson, who jumped out of his skin after the loud bang.

Phelan and Muelensteen broke into fits of laughter as Sir Alex chewed his gum with a little more grit than usual.

It remains one of the funniest moment in Premier League history as Chelsea welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge this evening.

And that man Phelan will once again accompany a United manager in the dugout as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side will be looking to secure all three points on the road.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Phelan has played a huge part in United success over the years, and the words of Sir Alex Ferguson soon after he was replaced by David Moyes, puts his former assistant's importance into perspective.

"I'm sure there are things that David would do differently if he had the opportunity to relive his time at Old Trafford, such as keeping Mike Phelan who would have been the invaluable guide to the many layers of the club that Ryan Giggs is to Louis van Gaal today." he wrote in his book Leading.

"There is no point suddenly changing routines that players are comfortable with. It is counterproductive, saps morale and immediately provokes players to question the new man's motives.

"A leader who arrives in a new setting, or inherits a big role, needs to curb the impulse to display his manhood."

Image: PA
Image: PA

Can Manchester United overcome the challenge of Chelsea this evening?

Let us know in the comments.

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Topics: Football News, Chelsea, Football, Manchester United

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

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