Alex Ferguson forces Rio Ferdinand to stop filming podcast twice and makes feelings clear

Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick still know they’re best not to mess with their iconic manager Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson, who is often still called ‘Boss’ by his former players, was known to command a huge amount of respect at Manchester United.

Stories from inside the Old Trafford dressing room continue to be told, with many stars witnessing his infamous ‘hairdryer treatment’.

Ferguson was certainly not one to be messed with and even 12 years on from his retirement, he still carries an intimidating aura.

So much so that Ferdinand and Carrick did not dare say anything when their podcast episode was interrupted by the Scotsman.

As the Man United legends sat down for a long chat for Ferdinand’s YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand Presents, their final few minutes were thrown off by the unexpected arrival of Ferguson.

Mid-conversation, the United icon waltzed into the background of the shot in a restaurant, with Ferdinand turning to greet him.

But the former centre-back was greeted with a stern face looking back as he and Carrick said: “Hi, Boss!”

Ferguson stated: “What’s this? I’m not doing this podcast.”

He then walked up towards the camera set-up, again questioning what it was in a tone of disbelief.

Carrick and Ferdinand then quickly scramble to let their former manager know that he didn’t have to do the podcast.

“We’re just finishing now, don’t worry, this isn’t for you,” Carrick said, while Ferdinand confirmed they were going to have a meal with Ferguson after they had finished filming.

Ferguson then walked out of shot and sat on a nearby table in the restaurant, dauntingly right behind Ferdinand.

Both he and Carrick looked sheepish as he said, with the pair awkwardly laughing: “He’s sat behind us now, so I can’t say too much!”

The podcast then continued for a few minutes after getting restarted, but another interruption would follow.

A loud ringtone disrupted the flow of the conversation, bringing another pause to proceedings.

Ferdinand instantly hoped: “That’s not the gaffer’s phone…”

But it was, as he turned to find Ferguson picking up the call as he and Carrick burst into quiet laughter.

Ferguson didn’t even look at his former duo before taking the call and chatting away in the background.

Carrick then asked whether they should continue the podcast with the ‘Boss’ talking on the phone.

But Ferdinand simply replied: “It’s the gaffer, we’ve just got to get on with it. We can’t say anything, can we?”

The awkward interaction showed that the ex-players still wouldn’t dare to question their iconic manager.

Ferguson retired from management after leaving Man United in 2013, as the club’s most successful boss ever.

He won 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues, to become an icon at Old Trafford.