Former Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has revealed the astonishing details of a foul-mouthed outburst he directed at Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson, and the iconic manager's unexpected reaction that left him stunned.
The Anfield Flashpoint: A Controversial Red Card
The incident occurred during a fiery Premier League clash at Anfield in the 2012/13 season. Shelvey, then a Liverpool player, was shown a red card by referee Mark Halsey in the first half following a robust challenge on United defender Jonny Evans.
Shelvey, now 33, maintains the tackle was fair. Speaking on the Undr the Cosh podcast, he explained his fury at seeing Ferguson speaking to the fourth official as he was dismissed. "I can see Fergie in the fourth official's ear. I'm thinking, 'This is only going one way,'" Shelvey recalled. Convinced the United boss had influenced the decision, Shelvey's temper boiled over as he left the pitch.
The Explosive Insult and Ferguson's Laid-Back Reply
In a moment of pure rage, the England international launched a verbal attack at the most successful manager in British football history. "As I'm walking off, I just lost it and said, 'It's your fault I got sent off you, Scottish c***,'" Shelvey confessed.
However, the story took a remarkable turn after the final whistle. Manchester United won the match 2-1 with goals from Rafael and Robin van Persie, but Shelvey sought out Ferguson to apologise. To his amazement, the Scot held no grudge.
"He said, 'No, don't worry about it, I like it,'" Shelvey revealed. The former midfielder added that Ferguson appreciated his passion and they subsequently got on well in future encounters.
Aftermath and Legacy of the Fiery Encounter
Following the game, Shelvey issued a public apology on social media platform X, stating he was sorry to fans for the red card but would not have pulled out of the tackle. He also confirmed he had apologised to Ferguson, while taking a subtle dig: "Where I come from, people don't grass people up to get someone sent off."
The season concluded with Manchester United lifting the Premier League trophy, while Liverpool finished in seventh place. The episode remains a vivid illustration of the intense rivalry between the two clubs and the unique character of Sir Alex Ferguson, who could command respect even in the face of a personal insult.
