Legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson showcased his unexpected sense of humour when former midfielder Anderson playfully struck him in the groin, leaving the entire squad in stunned disbelief. The amusing anecdote has been revealed by ex-United defender Rafael da Silva during an appearance on the Brazilian programme Zona Mista.
The Shocking Lift Incident
Rafael, who signed for United alongside his twin brother Fabio in 2008 from Fluminense, detailed the moment that had everyone fearing the worst. He explained, "Ferguson was really crazy about Anderson. There was this one time when everyone was in the lift, and just as Anderson was about to look at him... 'sack tap'. I thought, 'Oh my god, the old man's going to lose it now.' Everyone was just frozen, thinking, 'This is going to be a disaster.'"
To the surprise of all present, Ferguson burst into laughter, instantly diffusing the tension and prompting the rest of the team to join in. Rafael added, "Then Ferguson started laughing, and everyone else started laughing. On the way down to a match, out of the blue, he did this. The guys panicked. 'This is going to be a disaster.'" This light-hearted response highlighted the unique bond between the manager and his players.
Anderson's Enigmatic Career at Old Trafford
Anderson, who joined United from Porto in 2007 for £20 million, remains one of the club's most puzzling figures. Despite his talent, his career was often hampered by fitness issues linked to his love for fast food. Rafael recalled in his autobiography, "We could be on the team coach and pass the services on the motorway and Anderson would jump up impulsively and yell, 'McDonald's, McDonald's.'"
The Brazilian midfielder featured 181 times over eight seasons, scoring only twice, before departing under Louis van Gaal in 2015. Rafael believes Anderson could have reached the pinnacle of football with more discipline, stating, "I will say something about Anderson – if he had been a professional football player, he could have been the best in the world. I'm saying this was all serious. I don't know if he ever took anything seriously. He just loved life in such an easy and casual way."
Twin Tales and Ferguson's Mix-Ups
The da Silva twins, Rafael and Fabio, were fan favourites at United, though Ferguson frequently struggled to tell them apart. Fabio shared a memorable incident on The United Zone podcast, where the manager mistakenly berated him for Rafael's on-field error. He revealed, "My brother did something wrong in the game and he came at half time to speak with him but came to me. He started to shout f**k off! Rio [Ferdinand] or [Michael] Carrick said this is not Rafael and he [Ferguson] said, 'f**k off they're the same!'"
Rafael made 170 appearances for United, winning three Premier League titles before leaving for Lyon in 2015, while Fabio managed 56 outings prior to moves to QPR and other clubs. Both retired after successful careers, with Anderson hanging up his boots in 2020 following a stint in Turkey.
This story not only sheds light on Ferguson's lighter side but also underscores the camaraderie and quirky moments that defined Manchester United during his illustrious tenure.
