The day Ferguson went crazy because his players did not sign autographs and this made them do

Patrice Evra's recent appearance on the official Manchester United podcast provided a fascinating glimpse into the inner workings of the club during his time there. His stories, particularly those involving Sir Alex Ferguson, shed light on the legendary manager's demanding standards and the importance of respecting the club's heritage.

Ferguson's Autograph Fury: Respecting the Fans

One of the most memorable anecdotes Evra shared was about a time when the players, tired after a match, decided to bypass the waiting fans and head straight for the team bus. However, Ferguson was not impressed.

Evra recounted, "Before we get on the bus we were really tired, and there was a queue of fans. The players were like, 'if one doesn't sign, no one has to.' So we went straight to the bus, all of us, and when I looked through the window, I saw Sir Alex Ferguson signing every autograph. I swear he must have been signing for like 45 minutes.

He signed every single one. I said, 'guys, when the boss gets on, we are finished.' He got on the bus and gave us the hairdryer. 'Who the f*** do you think you are? These people are paying your salary. These people came to watch you. Now get off the f***ing bus and sign!' And we had to sign for every fan. But that's the mentality."

Understanding United's History: The Munich Legacy

Evra also emphasised the importance of understanding the club's history, citing the Munich air disaster as an example. He believes that every young player should be aware of the sacrifices made by those who came before them.

"Every time I shook Bobby Charlton's hand, I felt something. And every time I saw him travel on the plane with us, I knew what happened to his former teammates and I thought it was a miracle. Maybe the kids (and this is not an excuse) of six or seven years old, when they play for their club, need to know it's really important to know there are a lot of people working for this club. It's important and there is no excuse. Put on the DVDs like I did.

So every time I put on the shirt, I knew how many people wore it and how many people won. You need to respect the tradition and the philosophy. I thought I couldn't let those people down. When you play for Manchester United, you don't play for yourself. You're not famous for being at Manchester United or being in the media. You play for those people."

Premier League Glory: A Childlike Excitement

Evra also shared his experience of winning his first Premier League title with United. He described the feeling as being like a child, recalling how he jumped around excitedly while watching a Chelsea match that confirmed their title win.

Ferguson's Winning Mentality: A Culture of Success

Finally, Evra spoke about Ferguson's influence on his winning mentality. He credited Ferguson with teaching him that winning was normal, a stark contrast to his experience at Monaco with Didier Deschamps. "Ferguson taught us all to be like a robot. I don't think I was a human when I played for Manchester United. When we won games, or when someone did something good, he wasn't satisfied.

I always say Didier taught me that winning is important, but Ferguson taught me that winning is normal. I remember after a big game against Liverpool where he just said, 'well done, son.' He never shouted, apart from when we won the Champions League final. Winning the league was normal."

Evra's anecdotes provide valuable insights into Ferguson's management style and the culture he instilled at Manchester United. His emphasis on respecting the fans and understanding the club's history highlights the importance of tradition and legacy in football.