Sir Alex Ferguson shows class with team talk before Old Trafford win | Football

Sir Alex Ferguson’s winning mentality inspired rugby league team Wigan Warriors to secure a historic quadruple at Old Trafford, home of Manchester United. The Warriors beat Hull Kingston Rovers 9-2 to secure their second successive title at the iconic stadium and become the first Super League club to win all four major trophies in a single season.

The team, led by self-confessed United fan Matt Peet, has also won the League Leaders’ Shield, the World Club Challenge and the Challenge Cup. Peet, who previously named Ferguson as one of his coaching inspirations, revealed that he had arranged for the legendary Scot would meet Warriors players and give them a team talk the night before the crucial match.

Ferguson is known for his disciplined management style and achievements at Old Trafford, where he became the most successful manager in United’s history. During his nearly three-decade tenure, Ferguson secured two Champions League titles, 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups and one European Cup Winners’ Cup.

With a total of 49 major trophies won under Ferguson’s leadership, one of his most notable victories was when the United team secured the first ever treble, which included the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League. Peet referenced that achievement when recounting the iconic coach’s conversation with his players, suggesting he felt the Warriors were on track to achieve something similar with their quadruple.

The 40-year-old said: “Sir Alex presented all the lads’ shirts. We got in touch through a mutual friend. We thought we were in for something similar to when United won the Treble. Playing at Old Trafford and with Sir Alex building careers by developing local talent, with his mentality, we thought he would be the perfect person.”

Peet marveled at Ferguson’s “epic” speech and noted the legendary coach’s ability to captivate audiences, leaving him and his players utterly stunned. He continued: “Luckily, we were able to make it happen and it was epic, as you can imagine.

“The way you hung on every word he said, it wasn’t just about what he said, it was about his presence. I’ve never seen the boys so quiet. Having a leader like that, who is also such a humble man, was incredible ; you could hear a pin drop, I can never thank him enough for that.”

Ferguson retired as manager in May 2013 and left a legacy at United that no other manager in the Premier League has so far come close to replicating. His coaching style was revered by other coaches and experts, with former first-team coach Rene Meulensteen stating that the Scot was totally unique as he had many skills to use on the job.

Speaking on the Training Ground Guru Podcast, the Dutchman said: “Personality, commitment and motivation, knowledge, the right people, adaptability, people management and delegation.

“People said to me, ‘it must have been hard work working with Sir Alex Ferguson’. everyone. At each session he would come in, walk past you and pat you on the shoulder, ‘well done’.”