Few people are more aware than Patrice Evra that dead rubber fixtures are never appropriate on Derby Day. The former Manchester United defender may not have realised how fierce local rivalries might be in the home country of football when he first arrived in England in 2006. But by 2014, he had a profound understanding of the true significance of Manchester derbies after witnessing Sir Alex Ferguson’s undying devotion during those games.
There are plenty of intense football derbies in Britain, ranging from rivalries characterised by back-and-forth struggles for trophies to those driven by outright animosity. Even though United only lost 11 of Ferguson’s 47 games versus City, the Manchester derby frequently appeared unfair throughout his tenure, but the great manager never took the rivalry lightly.
Even something as trivial as sitting on a chair bearing the Manchester City badge could aggravate him because his hatred was so intense. Strange as it may sound, Evra attested to Ferguson’s intense dislike of Manchester’s blue half in 2021.
Evra Revealed Why Ferguson Had Cover on Man City Seat
The Scot was – and still is – an honorary Mancunian
Rafael Benitez bravely decided to take over Everton, Liverpool’s local rivals, in 2021. Only 16 years earlier, the Spaniard had led Everton to the Champions League. Speaking on the appointment, Evra told the Mirror that Ferguson would never have moved to a rival team, demonstrating the extent of his devotion to the Red Devils. He stated:
“I never thought Sir Alex Ferguson would accept a position in the Champions League.” He requested that they cover the seats at the stadium where he was watching a game since it featured the City logo. I was present. The story is real.
Throwback to when Sir Alex Ferguson made them cover the Manchester City badge on his seat at the Etihad Stadium.
pic.twitter.com/DabpMJsBUK
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) March 9, 2021
Although Benitez is renowned for winning the Champions League with Liverpool, he risked his reputation by taking over at Goodison Park that summer. Fortunately for the supporters of Anfield across Stanley Park, things didn’t go as planned, as he was fired after just seven months, during which time he boasted a concerning victory percentage of just over 31%. He is still regarded as a Liverpool great as a result.
However, Ferguson’s grandeur was far greater than his own. He rebuilt the team numerous times over his 26 years at Old Trafford, won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, and—most importantly—rejected teams like Real Madrid due to his unwavering devotion to the brilliant team he had assembled.
According to Layman, Fergie became an honorary Mancunian, and M16 doesn’t feel quite right if he isn’t seen at Old Trafford every other weekend, even now. The 83-year-old has remained a loyal fan through the highs and lows of life without him stalking the touchline, even after being removed of his ambassadorial duties.
Following his managerial career in April 2018, when Jose Mourinho’s team completed a 3-2 comeback thanks to two goals from Paul Pogba and another from Chris Smalling, Fergie decided to hide the City badge. This derby is still one of the most memorable in recent memory as Pep Guardiola’s winning machine continues to change the course of events.
