Robin van Persie has detailed just how angry Sir Alex Ferguson could get at his Manchester United squad but has insisted the Scot's temper was an inspiration.
The striker spent three seasons at United but just one under Sir Alex where he won his only Premier League winners' medal after arriving from Arsenal in 2012.
Van Persie, talking to Uefa.com along with current Fenerbahce team-mate Nani, reminsiced on how Sir Alex unleashed on his players after losing to Manchester City and seeing their lead at the top of the table cut to 12 points.
"I played with him for one year but it was a very special year: we won the league!" Van Persie said of Sir Alex. "The road to that title was very special. I could tell he's a really special manager.
"One little example: When we were 15 points ahead, it was in February or March (sic: it was April) – we lost against City. We could have gone 18 points clear but still we were in a very good position.
"He was very hard on us, very angry. He made everyone aware that everybody had to give their all. The training was very hard that week, he was almost punishing us. We were 15 points ahead! But that showed me he was a really good manager.
Nani, who spent eight years at United of which six were under Sir Alex' tutelage, hailed the Scot as the greatest manager he ever worked with and is grateful for being "part of his story".
"Working with Sir Alex Ferguson for many years is something I'll never forget," Nani added.
"For me, he was the best manager I worked with. It was important for me – I learned so much from him: on the training ground, during the games, like the examples Robin gave. This is so special.
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