Sir Alex Ferguson undoubtedly witnessed the most intense and hostile atmospheres British football has to offer throughout his almost 30-year career as a manager. Whether it be Manchester United's difficult trips to local rivals Liverpool or Aberdeen hosting the Old Firm in Scotland, Ferguson experienced it all from the dugout.
Despite Anfield, Celtic Park, Old Trafford and Ibrox Stadium often being touted as the loudest and most feared in the United Kingdom, the iconic Scot actually found another ground extremely volatile and hostile to visit.
Instead, it was an English ground that holds less than 40,000 supporters that had the 83-year-old on edge whenever he visited as Man United boss. There is a long-standing history between the two clubs, which would explain the incredible outbursts of passion and 'hatred' all at once when the Red Devils show up.
Sir Alex Ferguson on Leeds United's 'Incredible Hatred' For Man Utd
'There was something about the hostile atmosphere at Elland Road'
Ferguson added fuel to the already burning fire between fierce rivals Man United and Leeds United in 1992 when he swooped to sign the Lilywhites' star man, Eric Cantona. The Frenchman swapping Elland Road for Old Trafford didn't go down well and only heightened the emotion between both fan bases.
In his 2013 autobiography, the former Red Devils boss recalled one particularly heated trip to West Yorkshire, as he looked back on the 'incredible hatred' he experienced from those in the stands. Ferguson noted: "Some of the fans would have their kids on their shoulders, radiating the most incredible hatred.
"They did give us a bit of a battering in the second half, but Lee Sharpe had broken away, at 0-0, with two minutes to go, to score. It looked 10 yards offside. I was on the pitch, Eric Harrison was in the dugout.
"A lot of people think Eric looks like me. One Leeds supporter certainly did, because he whacked Eric, absolutely panned him. The guy thought he was hitting me. On came the fans. Pandemonium."
Not stopping there, Ferguson admitted he gained a thrill from the raw emotion and passion spilling out inside the stadium, adding: "And yet there was something about the hostile atmosphere at Elland Road that I quite liked."
Before the 2010 FA Cup clash between the two sides - this time at Old Trafford - Ferguson again stated his enjoyment of the atmosphere inside Elland Road. While urging his own players to keep a cool head for the domestic cup encounter, the United coach said (per The Guardian):
"I used to enjoy the games, we had some great games over there. The atmosphere was always electric at Leeds and our record was pretty good there too. We only lost once at Elland Road and you had to perform there."