Sir Alex Ferguson fumed at ‘stupidest question ever heard’ after Barcelona beat Man Utd
Sir Alex Ferguson told a reporter that his patience was being tested after Barcelona beat Manchester United in the 2011 Champions League final.
The Premier League juggernauts met the Catalan outfit at Wembley but were outplayed throughout by Pep Guardiola’s side with Lionel Messi scoring in the 3-1 triumph and being named man of the match.
Following the fixture, a reporter asked: “Sir Alex, if the owners of Manchester United gave you a blank cheque, over the summer and allowed you to bring in only one of Barcelona’s team tonight, who would you sign?”
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To which the Scot responded: “That’s one of the most stupid questions I’ve ever heard in my life.”
With the room breaking into laughter, Ferguson joked with a smile: “Probably (Javier) Mascherano…. You test my patience.”
The 13-time Premier League winning manager was of course suggesting that Messi would be the man to join him at United, with the Argentina hero still going strong 12 years later.
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(Image: Sky Sports)
(Image: Getty Images)
Ferguson, who left United back in 2013, also said after the game: “They’re the best in Europe, no question about that.
“In my time as a manager, I would say they’re the best team we’ve faced. Everyone acknowledges that and I accept that. It’s not easy when you’ve been well beaten like that to think another way.
“No one has given us a hiding like that. It’s a great moment for them. They deserve it because they play the right way and enjoy their football.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Ferguson had won the Champions League in both 1999 and 2008 to soften the blow of 2011, winning the league title for a final time in 2013.
In total, United had won just one of their 10 competitive meetings with Barcelona going into their Europa League contest this week.
The pair will battle it out to see who will reach the last 16 of the competition after Xavi’s Barcelona dropped out the Champions League with United finishing second in their group on goal difference.
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