Ferdinand reveals Ferguson's rage at Van Nistelrooy for holding Manchester City shirt: He destroyed him

Sir Alex Ferguson was renowned for his no-nonsense approach as head coach of Manchester United, and Rio Ferdinand revealed an anecdote from his playing days in which the former Red Devils boss fumed at Ruud van Nistelrooy after a derby defeat to Manchester City.

Ferdinand recalled the aftermath of a Manchester derby in which United had suffered defeat, with Ferguson raging at the Dutch striker for having swapped shirts with a City player.

"We got beat 3-1 at Maine Road with Shaun Goater scoring two goals," Ferdinand said on Vibe with Five.

"That was the first derby I played and the moment I realised how big it was in the changing room after. We walked in and the manager shut the door. It was quiet and then all of a sudden he just erupted.

"Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was the God then, walked in with a City shirt in his hand and I remember Sir Alex Ferguson just absolutely unloaded on him.

"He destroyed him, saying, 'If I ever see any of you walking with a City shirt ever again you'll never play for this club.'

Ferdinand admitted that it was only at that point when he himself realised just how significant the rivalry between the two clubs was.

"That's how he was, he was just mad," he said. "That's when I sat there and thought: This is a big game, isn't it?

"I didn't realise before that game and ever since then, whether you win more or less, I knew that week leading up to a derby was all or nothing."