Sir Alex Ferguson handed control of the Manchester United dressing room to five club legends during his prolific career at Old Trafford, according to Wayne Rooney.
Ferguson bowed out of Old Trafford in 2013 after leading the Red Devils to the Premier League title, with the Scotsman enjoying incredible success at United.
The 82-year-old’s trophy haul at Manchester United included 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, five FA Cups and four League Cups.
Sir Alex Ferguson was known for his commanding presence, both in the dugout and behind the scenes at United, and wouldn’t be afraid to put his players on blast.
The legendary ex-United manager would ruthlessly move players out of Old Trafford when needed, which included club legends like Roy Keane and Jaap Stam.
But Ferguson, who never shouted at one United legend under his watch, also relied on his players to ensure discipline would be installed in the club dressing room.
READ MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson predicted two Man Utd legends to become top managers, one never entered management
Ferguson’s five United locker-room leaders
Wayne Rooney, who was sacked by Birmingham City earlier this month, had a prolific playing career under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
The 38-year-old former United striker was brought to Old Trafford in 2004 from Everton and continued to play for the club even after Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
Speaking about his time under Ferguson, Rooney admitted that he was one of five players who “controlled” the dressing room and the iconic Scot wouldn’t interfere.
The former Birmingham City manager revealed that the four other players were United legends Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs.
Speaking to the Men In Blazers TV show on NBCSN in 2018 (via Sky Sports), Rooney said: “That would never be allowed to happen.
“The likes of Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand, myself – players who had Man United in them and wanted the best for that club – would never allow anyone to mess that up.
“We controlled the dressing room ourselves. Alex Ferguson didn’t really need to control that.
“The players had the trust of the manager to do that themselves.”
Rooney almost left United under Ferguson’s watch
Rooney went on to become United captain under Louis van Gaal and played for the Red Devils until 2017 before he sealed a return to boyhood club Everton.
Despite being a key figure under Ferguson, the former England and United striker was linked with a move away from Old Trafford in 2010 amid changes at the club.
“The relationship with Sir Alex took a little bit of a hit because of me trying to think of the bigger picture,” Rooney told the UTD Podcast in 2020.
“Obviously, as he told me, it was none of my business.
“I think it’s good [the relationship with the fans]. It [also] took a hit in 2010 when I asked to leave the club, which I get.
“I understand the frustration from the fans over that. But I think, again, there were other things going on and I had frustrations myself with the way the club was going.
“We’d sold [Carlos] Tevez and sold [Cristiano] Ronaldo and, when United asked me about and offered me a five-year deal, it was going to be my last contract really in terms of a big contract where I was coming into the peak of my career.”