Peter Schmeichel has insisted that it was “brutal to watch” Sir Alex Ferguson have a “confrontation” with one of four different Manchester United legends at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson brought Peter Schmeichel to Old Trafford in 1991 after Manchester United signed the 60-year-old Dane from Brondby for a fee of around £505,000.
Schmeichel established himself as a key figure for Ferguson during the 1990s and the United legend had a long-lasting impact during his spell at Old Trafford.
The former United No 1 made 388 appearances for the Red Devils and was a linchpin figure between the sticks for the Premier League club.
Schmeichel, who is considered one of the best ‘keepers in Premier League history, played a major role in the famous United team that won an iconic treble in 1999.
During his spell at Old Trafford, Schmeichel lifted five Premier League titles, a Champions League, three FA Cups and a League Cup with United.
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Schmeichel on Ferguson and four Man Utd legends
Peter Schmeichel was reunited with former Manchester United teammates Gary Neville and Roy Keane during his appearance on the Stick to Football show.
During his appearance on The Overlap show, which also featured Jamie Carragher and Jill Scott, Schmeichel candidly opened up about his time at Old Trafford.
The United legend revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson would want a “confrontation” even when matches were “going well” or if he “needed something off his chest.”
Schmeichel admitted that he was one of the players who would be on Ferguson’s confrontation list, with the Dane adding that players would be “allowed to talk back.”
The former Denmark international said that fellow United legends Gary Pallister, Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs would be other players that Ferguson would often single out.
“What I learned very quickly was that Sir Alex Ferguson needed an out,” Schmeichel explained.
“Very often it was in games where things were going well, or he needed something off his chest. He had certain players that he would do that to.
“I was one of them, Gary Pallister was one of them and Roy Keane was one of them. Ryan [Giggs] was also one of them.
“It would have been brutal to watch but you were allowed to talk back as a player. He wanted that confrontation because it was shaking things up. He wanted that.”
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Schmeichel reflects on Ferguson’s confrontations
Schmeichel’s spell at United under Ferguson came to an end after the treble-winning season, with the former shot-stopper signing for Sporting CP in 1999.
Following the end of his run with Sporting CP in 2001, Schmeichel returned to England for brief playing spells with Aston Villa and Manchester City before retiring.
The former United star looked back on his confrontations with Ferguson and acknowledged that the Scot was “waiting” for the right opportunity to do them.
“What I learned from him was that 95 per cent of everything he said was by the sign and he was thinking about it and was waiting for the opportunity to say that,” Schmeichel said.
“He would pick those moments and once it happened, gone.”
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