Ferdinand Reveals How Fergie ‘Destroyed’ Van Nistelrooy For Swapping Shirts

Rio Ferdinand has revealed how Sir Alex Ferguson “destroyed” Ruud van Nistelrooy in the dressing room after a derby between Man Utd and Man City.

Ferdinand experienced his first Manchester derby just four months after arriving from Leeds United in July 2002 – but Ferguson’s side were well beaten 3-1 at Maine Road.

The size of the occasion became apparent after the match with Ferguson losing his cool with Van Nistelrooy for bringing a City shirt into the dressing room.

“We got beat 3-1 at Maine Road with Shaun Goater scoring two goals,” Ferdinand said on his Vibe with FIVE YouTube channel during an interview with Vincent Kompany.

“That was the first derby I played and the moment I realised how big it was in the changing room after.

“We walked in and the manager shut the door. It was quiet and then all of a sudden he just erupted.

“Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was the God then, walked in with a City shirt in his hand and I remember Sir Alex Ferguson just absolutely unloaded on him. He destroyed him, saying: ‘If I ever see any of you walking with a City shirt ever again you’ll never play for this club.’

“That’s how he was, he was just mad. That’s when I sat there and thought: ‘This is a big game, isn’t it?’

“I didn’t realise before that game and ever since then, whether you win more or less, I knew that week leading up to a derby was all or nothing.”

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