Sir Alex Ferguson Hilariously Called Arsenal Players ‘Babies’ to Fire Up Man Utd Players During team talks

Sir Alex Ferguson Hilariously Called Arsenal Players ‘Babies’ to Fire Up Man Utd Players During team talks

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:12 PM
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  • Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has revealed how Sir Alex Ferguson stirred up the team by labelling Arsenal players as 'babies'
  • United and Arsenal were embroiled in a bitter rivalry since Arsene Wenger's arrival in 1996
  • The two sides dominated the Premier League for years but have since fallen off significantly from their former glory

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson called Arsenal players 'babies' to work up his players, at the height of the rivalry between the two sides.

Rio Ferdinand recalled how the legendary manager used to stir them up when things weren't going so well. The rivalry between the two sides is still talked about to this day.

Air Alex Ferguson, Arsenal, Manchester United, Arsene Wenger, Premier League
Manchester United were engaged in a bitter rivalry since 1996 into the mid 2000s. Photos by Rui Vieira, Shaun Botterill and Sean Dempsey
Source: Getty Images

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Ferguson called Arsenal 'babies' to inflame United players

According to The Sun, Ferguson wanted to win by any means necessary and would usually disparage the Gunners to light up his players.

United legend Rio Ferdinand recalls how Ferguson would use his man management skills and mojo to inspire the Red Devils, who were the best team in England when he was coach.

Sir Alex Ferguson used to say, ‘get in their faces. They don’t like it, they can’t deal with it. They’re babies. Get right up against them and you’ll win this game. Rio, you’ll overrun them, you’ll overpower them.

The two sides dominated the Premier League since Arsene Wenger became Arsenal manager in 1996. Since that year, only United or Arsenal won the title. However, the Gunners capped it off in 2004 by winning the league in a historical undefeated season.

Nevertheless, the two sides have significantly fallen from their past glory since the two coaching behemoths retired. It is fascinating to note that neither Arsenal nor Manchester United have won the league under any other managers other than Wenger and Ferguson respectively.

The two teams were involved in a lot of intense battles on and off the pitch, with Ferguson building a reputation as the master of mind games.

Erik Ten Hag to be backed in January

Sports Brief reported earlier that Erik Ten Hag will be backed properly in January to improve his Manchester United squad. In addition, the figure could rise significantly if star player Cristiano Ronaldo decides to exit.

Ten Hag has steadied the ship at Old Trafford after a horror start. United won the last four successive league games but tougher fixtures ahead will test their strength of character.

Authors
Edwin Kiplagat photo
Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.