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Brian McClair was Sir Alex Ferguson’s ‘worst trainer’ in pre-season at Manchester United (Picture: Getty)
Sir Alex Ferguson has named Brian McClair as the ‘worst trainer’ he ever witnessed in pre-season during his long reign as Manchester United boss.
The iconic Scot saw countless players come and go across his 26-year tenure at United and left Old Trafford as far and away the most successful ever manager in the club’s history with 38 trophies.
From his appointment in 1986 through to his departure 12 years ago, Ferguson was renowned for laying down the law with his own players, referees and opposition managers.
Many of United’s greats, from David Beckham to Ryan Giggs, were also subject to Ferguson’s infamous ‘hairdryer treatment’ if they happened to fall below the required standards in matches or in training.
During a heartwarming meet-up with some of United’s academy players, Ferguson admitted anyone guilty of being a ‘bad trainer’ would not have lasted long at the club under his rule.
It’s perhaps surprising, then, that his lousiest ever trainer, McClair, carved out a successful 11-year career with the Red Devils, in which he lifted 14 pieces of silverware.
Asked who was the best he ever saw in training, Ferguson replied: ‘They were all good. If they were a bad trainer they wouldn’t have been there long!
Premiership Title 1994
McClair made 471 appearances and lifted 14 trophies with United (Picture: Getty)
Manchester United win Charity Shield 1994
The Scotland international was with the Red Devils for 11 seasons (Picture: Getty)
‘Probably, in pre-season, the worst trainer, without doubt, was Brian McClair.
‘He was always last but you put him on a pitch on Saturday and he would run all day!
‘It’s no secret, any player that wants to be good… look after yourself, sacrifice and practice.’
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Ferguson stepped down as manager at Old Trafford in 2013 (Picture: Getty)
Ferguson’s comments come after it was revealed that the much-loved 83-year-old is set to briefly come out of retirement to be a manager in Giuseppe Rossi’s farewell match next month.
‘I am very proud to say that my first professional coach, Sir Alex Ferguson, will be there,’ former United and Italy forward Rossi said.
On his decision to invite Ferguson, Rossi explained: ‘He was my first coach, I signed my first professional contract with Manchester and having him on the 22nd for me is a huge honour.
‘I only played for him for three years, I played little, 15, 16 games with Manchester United but when we called him he immediately answered, ‘yes’, and it makes you understand what kind of person he is, Ferguson.
‘He’s one where you can be Giuseppe Rossi, who did almost nothing with Manchester, or [Cristiano] Ronaldo who scored thousands of goals, he treats you the same and therefore I have great respect for him.
‘I’ll be very happy to see him.’
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