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The highly decorated former Manchester United manager and legend, Sir Alex Ferguson, has always been known for his unorthodox approach to management. Some might say that his unique tutoring style is synonymous with ‘hairdryer treatment’.
However, even for United’s most accomplished manager, hitting a player with a cricket bat seems a bit over the top or somewhat out of character.
According to the victim herself, the iconic Red Devils manager once hit a former defender with a cricket bat (via The Daily Star).
Professional success
The United academy graduate turned United star left Old Trafford in 2011. Brown walked away with a haul of trophies most players can only dream of including seven Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, three Cups of the League and two FA Cups.
He’s won almost every trophy there is to win, not once but twice with United.
The former United right-back also left the club with a wealth of memories and stories from the Ferguson dressing room that are fascinating to hear.
Among these memories, perhaps one stands out above the rest as bizarre: the legendary United manager’s reaction to the news that Brown is moving home.
Hard love
Asked on the Football Social Daily podcast if Sir Alex Ferguson hit him with a cricket bat, Brown replied: “Correct.”
He added context and said, “Yeah, I used to have this little cricket bat. I don’t know if it was signed by an Australian or a New Zealand player.”
“He told me I had to move and I told him where I was going to move. Then she hit me with a cricket bat.”
The cricket bat swing should probably be described as a playful swing rather than a wild swing with malicious intent.
“It’s a little one, just a little bump to the head,” Brown laughed.
After a moment’s reflection, Brown added: “Saying that, it still hits me when I see it.”
The altercation between Ferguson and his former player perhaps only happened because the coach was passionate about protecting the younger player from himself and his youthful folly.
It’s a story as old as time to see promising players fall by the wayside due to the bright lights of soccer stardom.
Given the long list of trophies Wes Brown lifted with United, it would be hard to criticize Sir Alex Ferguson.
Maybe unorthodox.
Undoubtedly unique.
Definitely effective.
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