According to a former-Premier League referee, Sir Alex Ferguson asked him for a favour in order to win the title back in 1997.
Dermot Gallagher, who retired a few seasons ago, has revealed all in a sit-down interview with a newspaper and even admitted that Sir Alex Ferguson, now retired, had his way with words when it came to dealing with match officials.
Ferguson, who has now been replaced by David Moyes at Old Trafford, retired in the Summer as one of the most decorated managers of all-time, but everyone knew he liked to have brief conversations with referees both on-and-off the field.
However, Gallagher has now revealed the full length he would go to make sure that he could win the Premier League title.
‘It was chucking it down with rain and Fergie pulled me aside and said “Do me a favour, call the game off”,’ Gallagher told Sportlobster TV.
‘I asked why and he said, “There’s nowhere else to fit this game in and the Premier League will have to extend the season. We’ll have a better chance of winning the match and we’ll win the league at Old Trafford”.
‘At half-time United were losing 3-1 and the pitch was like a swimming pool. As we came off he said, “I know we’re 3-1 down but please call it off, we could do with a hand here”.
‘They managed to pull it back to 3-3 and in the last minute Dennis Irwin ran into the box and went down in front of the Stretford End and I only gave a goal-kick.
‘At full-time Fergie sprinted across the pitch and shouted at me furiously. My wife said, “Fergie had a right go at you about that penalty, didn’t he”.
‘I told her he hadn’t mentioned the penalty. She asked why he came tearing across the pitch at me then. The truth is he ran over and asked me if I was going out to dinner that night. I said “no” and he asked “Why are we leaving so early then?”.’
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles
