Paul Scholes admitted he believed his Manchester United career was coming to an end after a blazing row with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2001.
The Manchester United legend reflected on a bust-up with Ferguson on the brand new Football’s Greatest Eras podcast with former team-mate Nicky Butt.
Scholes joked that he had built up a reputation as a ‘teacher’s pet’ under Man United’s legendary manager.
He revealed a time he found himself on the end of Ferguson’s famous ‘hairdryer treatment’ following a mistake he made during the 2001-02 Premier League season.
Scholes had come off the bench with Man United trailing against Newcastle, but his error proved costly as Alan Shearer put the Magpies 4-2 ahead.
The former midfielder revealed Ferguson had given him a ‘b****cking’ after Man United suffered a first Premier League defeat of the season.
Scholes admitted it was a rare occasion where he had answered back to Ferguson, leading to the Man United boss claiming he would ‘never play for the club again’.
‘Everyone says I was like a teacher’s pet and I never got [the hairdryer], but I did. I remember one in particular at Newcastle away. I was actually sub in the game,’ Scholes said.
‘I think we’re getting beat 3-0 at half time, he brings me on with 20 minutes to go, maybe. And we get back to 3-2. I’m not saying that it’s nothing to do with me.
‘We get back to 3-2 and I tried a flick in the middle of the pitch in the centre circle, they broke and scored. Alan Shearer scored to make it 4-2. So we couldn’t get back into the game. And he went ballistic at me. He went absolutely…
‘Do you know when I got a b****cking, or the hairdryer, as it was called, I always took it. I never answered back in my life. There were some people, you’ll know, there were some people that answered back all the time. I think you’d be the one to answer back.
‘But for some reason that day, I kept answering back. I didn’t agree with what he was saying. So, he kept saying stuff, “You’ll never play for this club again,” and all that usual kind of stuff.
‘I got back on the bus that night. I remember thinking, “I’m gone. This is me, Monday morning. I’m signing for somebody else.”‘
Scholes had been introduced into the match with Newcastle leading 3-1 through goals from Laurent Robert, Rob Lee and Nikos Dabizas.
The midfielder had immediately played a role in Man United getting back into the match, proving key in the build-up to Ryan Giggs pulling a goal back at St James’ Park.
Juan Sebastian Veron had then equalised to make it 3-3 before Scholes mistake led to Newcastle’s eventual winner.
Scholes nearly atoned with a equaliser, while captain Roy Keane was dismissed in the closing stages after clashing with Shearer.
Despite Ferguson’s initial threat, Scholes was ultimately spared after Ferguson rewatched the match and saw his overall impact on proceedings.
‘He ended up watching the game back on Sunday and he came to me on Monday morning, and I thought, “I’m in big trouble here”,’ Scholes added.
‘He actually apologised to me. He said “I was wrong, you had an influence on the game.’
Butt replied: ‘I told you you were his teacher’s pet’.
Scholes would ultimately remain a key part of Ferguson’s side for a further decade, before coming out of retirement in 2013.
He would ultimately win 11 Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two Champions Leagues at Man United.
Football’s Greatest Eras with Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes. Episodes are available every Wednesday. You can watch the show on YouTube and Spotify or listen to it wherever you get your podcasts.
