Former Premier League referee Howard Webb has recounted how Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson once tried to convince him to abandon a top-flight fixture in light of an injury crisis in his defence.
The former police office was a top flight for 11 years, before retiring to become technical director of the Professional Game Match Officials Board.
One of the most interesting characters in English football was Ferguson, so it’s no surprise that Webb has an anecdote to share about the former Manchester United boss.
The 45-year-old admits that despite often being accused of showing bias towards Man United, he was never friendly with the Scot, defining their relationship as “at best, civil and at worst, hostile”. He went on to state that he can’t remember having a decent conversation with Britain’s most decorated boss.
He wrote in the Times: “I remember an encounter we had in December 2009, prior to a Fulham v Manchester United game. It was a Saturday lunchtime kick-off at Craven Cottage but, as there’d been a frost, I’d been asked to conduct an early morning pitch inspection. I rocked up bright and breezy at nine o’clock, only to find Ferguson lurking in the tunnel, waiting for me.
“That particular month, Manchester United’s defence had been ravaged with injury, meaning that neither Nemanja Vidic nor Rio Ferdinand, nor Jonny Evans nor John O’Shea were available for selection. It was looking likely that the Reds’ boss would have to field a weakened team against Fulham, and he was clearly angling for a postponement.
“I’ve already had a look at it,” he snapped, scanning the pitch. “It’s horrendous. It’s a bloody death trap.”
“I’ll check it out and let you know what I think,” I replied.
“After some pacing and prodding I surmised that the pitch was absolutely fine; soft underfoot with no hazardous icy patches. Right, here goes, I thought, as I walked towards the tunnel to break the news.
“See what I mean?” Ferguson, below, barked as I approached him. “So the game’s off, then, yes?”
“You f***in’ what?” he yelled. “You’re trying to tell me the game’s still on? I cannae believe that!”
“I am. The surface is clearly playable,” I countered, bracing myself for another tirade. Instead, he just paused and tutted.
“Yeah, I know it is,” he smiled, the wily old sod, and headed back up the tunnel. Five hours later his makeshift team got battered 3-0.”
United finished that season one point off champions Chelsea, meaning a win against Fulham could have secured them the title.
Webb, meanwhile, now works for BT Sport as a pundit and provides commentary and analysis on events during and after the game.
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