Ex-Man Utd stars reveal first time Sir Alex Ferguson dished out hairdryer treatment 40 years after Scot’s appointment

Former Manchester United players Clayton Blackmore and Peter Barnes revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson first unleashed his infamous hairdryer treatment following a 1-0 defeat to Wimbledon. Ferguson, who took charge in November 1986 following the dismissal of Ron Atkinson, was initially calm after losing his debut match 2-0 against Oxford United.

Within three weeks, the Scottish manager delivered an aggressive dressing-room tirade at Plough Lane, reprimanding players including Gary Bailey, Norman Whiteside, Kevin Moran, Paul McGrath, and John Sivebaek. Most members of Ferguson's debut squad departed the club within 18 months as he initiated a massive rebuild that eventually yielded 13 Premier League titles.