Robin van Persie Tells Revealing Story About Sir Alex Ferguson's Disciplinary Methods at Man Utd

Robin van Persie has revealed the stringent discipline process in place at Manchester United during Sir Alex Ferguson's regime.

Van Persie joined United from Arsenal in 2012, and was instrumental as Ferguson's side wrestled the Premier League title back from rivals Manchester City during his debut season.

The Dutch forward scored a hat-trick against Aston Villa to seal Red Devils' 20th league title, allowing Sir Alex to retire in style.

​United could have won the title a fortnight earlier, but they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at home to Man City, and it was Ferguson's reaction to this that revealed just what a tight ship the former manager ran at Old Trafford.

In an interview with ​So Foot, Van Persie said: "Most managers would not have dramatised the situation. The boss on the other hand was really 'hot'.

"Two guys from the team were out after this loss. The day after the match, he had pictures of the two players on the changing room walls from their night out. 

"He said to the whole team: 'Ok guys, if we don't win the championship, know that it's because of those two assholes that chose to go out.'"

Van Persie explained the pictures of the two players on their night out remained hanging in the changing rooms.

"There were pictures of the two players hour by hour: 2am, 3am, 4am; as if to emphasise the extent of their bullshit," the former forward added.

And why's it relevant to Grealish?

Well, United & Solskjaer are trying a "cultural reset" as they've put it. They want good characters who are focused on football.

What Grealish did could be a big red flag IMO, especially at a time like we're living in.

— Scott Saunders (@_scottsaunders) March 30, 2020

"He didn't stop there. He warned us all: 'If we don't win the championship, it's because these two have decided to go out. From now on, if I see a player out before the trophy is lifted, that player is gone.'

"'I don't care about who you are, how many trophies you've won so far. If you're out before the end of the season, you'll leave the team and I'll have you transferred.'

"After that speech, we went to train, and it was the two hardest workouts of my life."

The revealing story highlights the alarm bells triggered by Jack Grealish's recent ducking of the government's coronavirus lockdown procedures.

The ​Aston Villa captain - a target of United's - popped out to visit a friend, despite government warnings to stay in doors, resulting in further controversy. ​He has since apologised.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is striving to change the culture at United as he aims to reboot the club, often drawing from his experiences of playing under Ferguson. 

Creating the right culture demands the right personalities, and Grealish's lack of discipline would not have been well received by the likes of Sir Alex.

Source : 90min