Ryan Giggs and his Manchester United team-mate were both in the firing line of legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson after an incident in the Premier League
Ryan Giggs and Alex Ferguson at a press conference
Ryan Giggs left Sir Alex Ferguson furious(Image: Getty Images)
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Ryan Giggs was once thrown under the bus by former Manchester United team-mate Nani in the middle of one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s infamous dressing-downs. Ex-Red Devils winger Nani found himself in hot water with the fearsome Scottish manager in 2010 following a 2-2 draw away at Fulham.
United were 2-1 up at Craven Cottage during the August fixture when they were awarded a penalty in the 86th minute for a handball by Damien Duff. Instead of usual penalty specialist Giggs taking the spot-kick, Nani took it and had his effort saved by David Stockdale.
To make matters worse, Fulham went on to equalise in the 89th minute thanks to Brede Hangeland’s header, leaving United to return to Manchester with two points dropped.
That made for an extremely awkward journey home for Nani as he had to drive Sir Alex home afterwards, but not before deflecting the hair-dryer treatment onto Giggs, who turns 52 this Saturday.
Nani told the UTD Podcast: "[Ferguson] was my neighbour and we used to go to London by train. His wife or his family used to leave him in the train station so on the way back he had no driver to take him so he was looking for someone who lives close to him to give him a ride.
“So I said, 'OK boss, I'll take you home!' But that day, it's so funny, believe me! The day I took him home was after a game against Fulham away, and I was on the bench.
"I was playing unbelievable with a lot of confidence. We won a penalty and it was Ryan Giggs who usually took the penalties. I felt confident and Giggs didn't say anything. I took the penalty and I missed! The penalty should have made it 3-2.
Luis Nani of Manchester United misses a penalty during the Barclays Premier League match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage on August 22, 2010 in London, England.
Nani missed his crucial penalty against Fulham
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“We are going back home that day and I say, 'Boss, I can take you home'. I drove him back home and he didn't talk to me in the car! In the dressing room he killed me! He said, 'Nani, who do you think you are?'"
The Portuguese tried to get himself out of trouble by pointing the finger at veteran Giggs. That then brought the Welshman into the firing line as Ferguson scolded both of them.
Nani of Manchester United holds his head during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on April 9, 2011 in Manchester, England.
Nani was berated by Sir Alex in the dressing room
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Nani added: "'Who gave you permission to take the penalty?! Ryan!' And then he killed Ryan Giggs, because he said, 'Ryan, why did you let him take the penalty!'
"Ryan said, 'He grabbed the ball and I let him.' Oh my god, that day was incredible. I took him home and I feel very uncomfortable driving home."
Despite that incident and other examples of dishing out tough love, Ferguson thought of both players very highly, with the legendary manager still singing their praises in recent years and even reuniting with Nani.
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