“He just tore strips off me” - Ex-Manchester United star shares how Sir Alex Ferguson threatened him over exit after conduct on international duty

Former Manchester United player Micheal Stewart has said that he was nearly kicked out of the club by Sir Alex Ferguson for his conduct on international duty. The four-time Scotland International said that Ferguson was furious with his actions in an under-21 game with the national team and confronted him on his return.

Stewart came through the Red Devils ranks after joining from the Rangers under-18 team in 1998. He stayed at the club till 2005, making 14 appearances and winning three Premier League titles.

Speaking about the incident that saw him get in hot water with the legendary manager, Stewart told Premier Sports’ Scottish Football Social Club, as reported by The Scottish Sun (via Sportbible):

“I was playing for Scotland u21s in Paisley against Northern Ireland, and it was right at the end of the game and we had battered them but it ended up being 1-1.

"We were breaking forward. The ref had given a foul, which was never a foul, and I picked the ball up. I went to slam it on the ground, but it had been chucking it down, and as I went to slam the ball on the ground, it came flying out of my hand and smacked the ref, and I got red carded.”

The former Manchester United star revealed how Ferguson reacted to his actions on his return:

“The next day, when I was travelling down to Manchester, I'm thinking 'that wasn't great, but there won't be any problems.' I got into training, and as soon as I pulled into the training ground, one of the guys came into the changing room and said 'the gaffer wants to speak to you.'

“I went up to his office, and he just tore strips off me and he said 'if you ever think about doing something like that again, your backside will be out that door before it touches the ground.' He said 'you represent this club, and if you think you can get away with that, there's not a chance.' And he also said 'don't ever think that I don't know what's going on (on international duty), cause I know everything that's going on.’”

Ferguson was famed for his no-nonsense reputation at Manchester United during a reign that lasted 26 years. He won a record 13 Premier League titles with the club and two UEFA Champions League titles and is considered one of the greatest managers in the game's history.

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Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard reveals kit rule Sir Alex Ferguson established at club

Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has revealed a kit rule that Sir Alex Ferguson had established at the club. The legendary manager led the club for over a quarter of a decade and shaped the traditions, morals and values of the team.

Lingard came through the youth ranks and went on to represent the English giants 232 times, scoring 35 and assisting 20 goals to help his boyhood club to the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup.

Speaking on the Diary of a CEO podcast, the 31-year-old said:

“He (Sir Alex Ferguson) played me at CSKA Moscow away in the Champions League. (It was) freezing cold, minus five or whatever it was. Rooney was like, 'Don't wear gloves'.

"I [didn't] wear gloves, played well and after that, stayed in the team. At Manchester United, we’re brought up (being told) you’ve got to wear black boots, no gloves and no long bottoms in training. It’s just the basic things, and you’re brought up with that when you go into the first team.”

The FC Seoul star concluded:

“Of course, in the warm-up, you're gonna wear gloves, but for the game, back to basics. Don't wear gloves in the age. It’s just values; it’s morals; it’s the way you’ve been brought up. United put that into us at an early age.”

Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 after leading Manchester United to the English Premier League title that year, their last to date. His legacy remains at the club, and there's a stand at the iconic Old Trafford stadium that's dedicated to Ferguson.