It's 22 years to the day since Alex Ferguson made the doomed signing of Sebastien Verón from SS Lazio, with the Argentinian infamously moving on the Chelsea in 2003. However, his signing created one of the most infamous rants of Alex Ferguson's career with Ferguson lashing out at journalists calling them 'Fucking Idiots'.
Ferguson signed Verón on this day in 2001 for at the time a record fee in the Premier League. However, Verón completely failed to live up to expectations and by 2003 a cash-happy Roman Abramovich took Verón off Ferguson's hands.
It was questions about the signing of Verón and his form for the Reds that lead to one of the greatest Alex Ferguson interviews of all time. While Fergie's reputation was revered, it wasn't often that the might of that temper was caught on tape, however, this infamous altercation between himself and journalist Neil Custis sums up just how fiery the Scotsman could be.
The rant came just a week after Manchester United were eliminated from the Champions League semi-final and a day before they were set to take on Arsenal who looked set to win the Premier League.
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Ferguson lambasts journalists
Ferguson's outburst here seems to be slightly misdirected, with Custis taking the wrap for a story in the Sunday Mirror that alleged Verón had been involved in a bust-up with his teammates. Clearly, Ferguson was more than agitated by the story with the manager losing his head with journalists present in a small room in Carrington in May 2002.
Despite a cordial start to the proceedings, Custis's question on whether Arsenal were arrogant on that got Ferguson's blood boiling.
I’m not getting involved in that because you just want a fucking story as usual. I’m not getting involved in that. Your fucking stuff is a disgrace to journalism.
The stuff that you fucking come out with.... You are always fucking going on about this club. Always.
Och you’re a joke. Well, listen, you go on about fucking Veron. Right, you tell me what’s wrong with Veron.
When Custis followed up by saying he didn't think Verón was a great player, Ferguson was less than impressed. However, despite the journalist's attempts to absolve himself of writing the infamous Verón bust-up article, Alex Ferguson was having none of it.
Well, I do! What’s this thing about fights and all the rest of this shit?
Try and have a bit of respect for your fucking job. Right? A bit of dignity for your job. Try and understand what the players’ feelings are like. Right?
On you go! We’re no fucking talking! He’s a fucking great player! Youse are fucking idiots!
You can catch the whole recording below and we promise it does not disappoint!
Just read that Man Utd signed Juan Sebastian Veron on this day, 2001. This was a Neil Custis interview recording that came to light regarding the Argentinian. Sir Alex wasn’t very happy! 😡 pic.twitter.com/emQ7prWlBH
— Dr Alan Tonge 🐝 💙 🏴 🇾🇪 (@Alan_Tonge) July 12, 2023
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