Sir Alex Ferguson revealed which stadium had the best atmosphere.
Sir Alex Ferguson revealed which stadium had the best atmosphere.
The ex-Manchester United boss is among the greatest managers in history, having won some 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Champions Leagues at Old Trafford.
During his 26 years at United, Ferguson visited some of the most iconic grounds in history and was met with some hostile atmospheres.
But when asked about the best atmosphere he’d ever experienced, the Scot picked a game where he was in the stands rather than dugout.
Speaking to Gary Neville for SPORTbible in 2021, Ferguson revealed: “Hampden Park, without a doubt.
“I went to see the Scotland-England games there. Electric. The atmosphere was absolutely electric.”
He then added: “Anfield, electric. You’ve been there. You know what it’s like. Bloody hell. It’s a marvellous atmosphere.
“It was a really volatile atmosphere.”
Neville then recalled: “I remember once you left me out at Anfield. You said you’re not putting me on the bench. I thought, ‘How are you not putting me on the bench? I’ve started every week.’
“And you went, ‘I can’t have you warming up in front of that lot’. You left me back in the hotel!”
Elsewhere, Ferguson was asked to select the most underrated player he’d ever managed.
The United great replied: “There are three players and I can’t split them. Brian McClair, Park Ji-sung and Ronny Johnsen.
“I re-watched the [Champions League] final against Barcelona at Wembley. I should have changed at half time and put Park Ji-sung on Messi. That was a mistake. I realised after ten minutes.
“I was going to do it at half-time but we’d just equalised. I thought, ‘We’ve just equalised before half-time, they might see the game differently and we may grow into the game.”
He concluded: “If I had played Park Ji-sung against Messi I think we would have beaten them.”
