Ferguson “destroyed” van Nistelrooy after Manchester derby.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has recalled how Sir Alex Ferguson once “destroyed” striker Ruud van Nistelrooy in the changing room after a derby defeat to Manchester City.
Matches with City‘s neighbours were crucial — at least for Ferguson — even before City had access to Arab money.
Ferdinand recalls his first Manchester derby in November 2002, when van Nistelrooy dared to swap shirts after the Red Devils’ 3-1 defeat.
“We lost 3-1 at Maine Road and Shaun Goater scored two goals. That was my first derby and I realised from the atmosphere in the changing room after the match how important it was.”
“We went into the changing room and the coach closed the door. It was quiet and all of a sudden he just exploded.”
“Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was God at the time, came back into the changing room with a City shirt in his hand. I remember Sir Alex just pounced on him.”
“He destroyed him by saying: “If any of you come wearing a City shirt again, you will never play for this club again.
“He was like a madman. Then I sat down and thought, ‘This is a really big match, isn’t it?” — remembers Ferdinand.