Sale Sharks have been given a motivational speech by none other than Alex Ferguson, ahead of their Gallagher Premiership Grand Final against Saracens this coming weekend.
Ferguson is a man who has ample experience of big sporting occasions, having led Aberdeen and Manchester United to multiple cup finals during his trophy-laden career.
Given that the Sharks are based just a stone's throw from United's Old Trafford stadium, it made sense for Ferguson to come in and gee them up, as they look to take home English club rugby's top prize for the first time since 2006.
The legendary manager seemed only too happy to oblige, but while giving his speech, he couldn't helping taking swipe at the extravagant outfits the Liverpool squad wore to the 1996 FA Cup Final.
"I wish you all the best on Saturday," Ferguson is heard saying in a clip. "Don't wear a white suit for Christ's sake!"
Alex Ferguson has a go at Liverpool for cup final suits
He is of course referring to the cream-coloured Armani suits that were donned by the likes of Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Jamie Redknapp ahead of that final, which Ferguson's side won 1-0 thanks to late goal from Eric Cantona.
The suits have come to epitomise the so-called "Spice Boys" era at Anfield, when Liverpool's stars appeared to feature in gossip columns more often than they were seen lifting trophies.
In particular, Roy Evans' side were accused of concentrating too much on how they looked on that day at Wembley, as United went about their business of winning a second league and cup double in the space of three years.
🎥 Sir Alex Ferguson was invited to speak to rugby union side Sale Sharks at Carrington ahead of their Premiership final at Twickenham.
pic.twitter.com/Ma919amZqu— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) May 23, 2023
Sale preparing for Grand Final
"Concentration...," Ferguson added in his monologue to Sales's players, in an apparent dig at his former club's arch-rivals.
"You're not there to enjoy it, you're there to win."
Sale's director of rugby Alex Sanderson is bound to have been listening intently, as he prepares his players for one of the biggest matches of their careers.
Saracens against Sale Sharks kicks off at 3pm on Saturday, with the match set to be broadcast live to Irish viewers on BT Sport 1.
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