'Get out of my office you French ****': Patrice Evra recalls being spat on by Sir Alex Ferguson
Patrice Evra, the beloved former Manchester United defender, has delighted fans by sharing another classic anecdote about his intense, yet ultimately fruitful, relationship with legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
While the partnership delivered numerous trophies, Evra’s latest recollection highlights the almost bewildering mental warfare Ferguson employed, even when his team was performing brilliantly.
The story provides a candid look at the “hairdryer treatment” and the legendary manager’s unique ability to motivate players by focusing on minute imperfections, even in moments of overwhelming success.
Patrice Evra recalls hilarious Sir Alex Ferguson moment
In the clip, Evra retells a classic interaction from a match against Tottenham — a moment that went from intimidating to unforgettable in true Sir Alex fashion.
“We were playing against Tottenham, winning 2-0 half-time. I just had one of my best 45 mins of my football career. We come in the dressing room and he just stood up and said to me: ‘This is one of the worst games you have played since I signed you for Manchester United. If you pass the ball back to the goalkeeper one more time you’re going to f***** watch the rest of the game next to.’”
Evra continued, explaining how he stood up as Ferguson let loose in front of the entire dressing room:
“So I stood up and he was spitting on my face, but I never answered back to the manager in front of my teammates anyway.”
Despite the scolding, United went on to win 4-0. Evra not only completed the match but was named man of the match — much to Giggs’ amusement.
“Ryan Giggs told me ‘don’t worry, the man is getting old.’”
The next morning, Evra confronted Ferguson in his office, hoping for clarity — but instead discovering the softer side behind the legendary “hairdryer treatment.”
“Next day I go to his office and he’s like ‘Hello son, how are you?’ I said ‘How I am boss? What happened yesterday?’ And he’s like ‘Oh Patrice, you were the best player on the pitch, you were amazing.’”
When Evra pushed for an explanation, Ferguson delivered a line that has become iconic among fans:
“Then I was like, ‘Boss why me?’ He said: ‘Because I know you can take it.’ I told him ‘Next time boss, maybe give me a sign, because this was a close one’. And he goes ‘Get out of my office you French ****’. This is a true story.”
The brilliance of the story lies in its authenticity, pure Ferguson: ruthless, hilarious, clever, and incredibly effective.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s incredible managerial career at Manchester Untied
For all the psychological intensity and controversial “hairdryer” moments, Sir Alex Ferguson’s ultimate success at Manchester United is undeniable and unprecedented in British football history. His ruthless drive and unique man-management style forged an era of dominance that yielded an astonishing 38 major trophies during his 27-year tenure (1986–2013).
His method, while demanding, clearly worked as he consistently rebuilt and re-motivated winning teams. Ferguson’s full trophy haul at Manchester United includes:
Premier League Titles: 13
FA Cups: 5
League Cups: 4
UEFA Champions League Titles: 2
UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup: 1
UEFA Super Cup: 1
Intercontinental Cup: 1
FIFA Club World Cup: 1
FA Community Shields: 10
His crowning achievement remains the historic treble in 1999, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League in the same season, a feat that cemented his place as arguably the greatest manager of all time.