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10th Feb 2016

Sir Alex Ferguson absolutely loved to box according to Manchester United’s former power coach

The pound-for-pound shoutiest

Darragh Murphy

There’s a reason so few of his players gave backchat to Sir Alex Ferguson.

The former Manchester United manager was famed for putting the fear of God into his players with his legendary hairdryer treatment but, apparently, he wasn’t too shabby a boxer either.

Former power development coach at Old Trafford, Mick Clegg, has revealed how he would keep Ferguson in shape during his time with the club and explained how the intimidating Scot loved a few rounds in the ring.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson clashes with Manchester City Manager Roberto Mancini (R) during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on April 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

“He loved the boxing,” Clegg told Jonathan Shrager of Stretty News TV.

“He loved throwing punches at me. He was hoping that he’d catch me but I was a little bit younger than him.

“He did the weights, he went on the running machines and the bags and all the rest of it.”

Ferguson retired from the game in 2013, with a knee injury that he suffered during his time with Rangers playing some part in his decision, and Clegg admitted that there were restrictions with what he could do in the gym.

“There were limitations,” Clegg continued. “I didn’t go into much depth because he just needed some physical fitness. Just to keep that heart rate going, cardio-respiratory work and to get them muscles working a little bit.

“Nothing too intense but when you ask ‘what did he like?’ He liked to have the gloves on and throw a few punches occasionally.”

Just imagine the numbers that a Keane vs. Ferguson pay-per-view bout would do.