Manchester United legend and six-time Premier League winner Rio Ferdinand revealed the warning message, Sir Alex Ferguson, told them when they lost the Premier League to Manchester City on the final day.
The Citizens won their first Premier League under Roberto Mancini with 8 goals difference as they were tied on points with their Arch rivals Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men were leading Sunderland by 1-0 thanks to Wayne Rooney’s goal, at the time Manchester City was drawing 2-2 with Queens Park Rangers.
Sergio Aguero’s late goal was enough to earn Manchester City their first Premier League title.
What did Rio Ferdinand say?
Describing the mood of the Manchester United players of the game, Rio Ferdinand told William Hill’s Stripped Podcast: “It was one of the maddest moments.
“We do our part and win against Sunderland, and the game finishes. Normally when a game finishes, everyone’s game has finished, and we go: ‘What was the score?’ And at that point we think we’ve got it, we’ve won the title.
“And then, all of a sudden, the Sunderland fans start cheering, the news comes round and they’re all cheering. And at that moment, it was like… boy, I wouldn’t give that feeling to anyone.
“Taking something you’ve given like a year’s worth of work to and all the intensity that goes with it… You know what the feeling is like when you win it, it’s there in your hands and then it just falls through. I’ll never forget Sir Alex Ferguson’s team talk after we went in.
“The room is quiet except for a few people swearing and kicking things. Then we’re sitting down with the manager, and he goes: ‘You experienced ones, you’ll get through this, but all you young ones (going around naming them), all of you remember this moment and remember their fans, the Sunderland fans who’ve got nothing to play for here. They’re sitting there and laughing at you and cheering.’
“And that was it: ‘Go and enjoy your summer.’ You’d be running in pre-season, on holiday in pre-season, and all you are thinking about is ramming that backdown Manchester City’s throat. We won the league the next year, so it was a mad moment.”
Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand has sent Jordan Sancho’s message to Gareth Southgate after the Latest England sub.
He said on his Youtube Channel, Vibe with Five, saying: “He’s sitting there thinking what more do I have to do? He didn’t like him when he was on fire so he must be thinking that’s the problem with Jadon Sancho, there’s going to be a mental block.
“He’s going to have to work hard. If he gets in the squad now, Gareth Southgate’s going to have to do a lot of work mentally rebuilding him.
“Jadon will be thinking I’ve forced him to put me in here anyway but he isn’t going to play me. And when he does play me he doesn’t really want to play me.
“Those are the thoughts that will go through his head. Mentally he’s a hard one to get back if he ever gets back in the squad.”
