Rio Ferdinand: Sir Alex Ferguson like Godfather of Manchester

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Former Manchester United ace Rio Ferdinand has revealed that playing for Sir Alex Ferguson was "like the Mafia", because the Scot always knew what his players were up to.


The 35-year-old defender was on the books of the Red Devils for 12 years between 2002 and 2014. In his time at Old Trafford, he was under the tuition of one of the greatest manager's of all time, Ferguson.

Now at Queens Park Rangers following his summer exit from Old Trafford, Ferdinand has lifted the lid on life with Ferguson, whom he likened to the Mafia.

Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show, Ferdinand said: "As I wasn't training every day, I was going out most nights enjoying the finer bright lights of Manchester going to the clubs, seeing what's what.

"About a month gone, he pulled me when I went out to training and he said 'Rio, how are you enjoying Manchester?'

"I said 'It's great boss, I've been out for a couple of meals here and there, just chilling out really trying to get back fit,' and he said, 'That's great, just let's not get off on the wrong foot: stop going out, you're here to play football. If you want to keep playing football for this club, you kerb going out.'"

The former England captain added: "The problem is in Manchester - it's smaller than London - he wouldn't have to call anyone. Everyone would call him (Ferguson) because they want to be his mate. He knew everything - it was like the Mafia."

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