• Premier League

Ferguson reveals rift with Wenger

ESPN staff
October 23, 2013
Fergie: What we learned

Sir Alex Ferguson's autobiography continues to grab the headlines as the former Manchester United boss has revealed how Arsene Wenger 'had his fists clenched' following a confrontation almost a decade ago.

The likes of Roy Keane, David Beckham and Wayne Rooney have been targeted in Ferguson's autobiography, and the Scot has opened the lid on his rivalry with the Arsenal manager after United ended the Gunners' 49-game unbeaten run at Old Trafford in October 2004, the match dubbed as 'pizza-gate'.

"His fists were clenched. I was in control," Ferguson is quoted as saying in his book.

Ferguson said the incident began when Ruud van Nistelrooy complained about what Wenger was saying when he and the Arsenal players left the field, then leading up to pizza being thrown at Ferguson in the corridor - with the culprit believed to be Cesc Fabregas - although Ferguson does not know for sure who was responsible for it.

"Right away, I rushed out to say to Arsene: 'You leave my players alone'", Ferguson added. "He was incensed. It seemed to me that losing the game scrambled Arsene's brain."

And after being hit by pizza, Ferguson said: "The corridor outside the dressing room turned into a rabble."

The Ferguson-Wenger rivalry remains one of the most fierce and competitive during the Premier League era, and Ferguson also added that Wenger never came for a drink in his office after the incident, something which lasted up until their Champions League clash in 2009 when Wenger invited Ferguson into the changing rooms to praise United for their win.

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