Former Man Utd Players Reminisce About Their First Experience with Sir Alex Ferguson’s Legendary Hairdryer Treatment 40 Years After His Appointment
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Oxford's owner, the ultimately disgraced media magnate Robert Maxwell, remained in the boardroom and the shaky main stand, reveling in the spotlight following the arrival of the Scotsman.
Just before kick-off, a serious-looking Fergie settled into the cramped dugout, surrounded by photographers and clearly not enjoying the occasion.
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Following the match, there was genuine disbelief in the dressing room.
Midfielder Clayton Blackmore, now 62, recalled: “Gordon Strachan was unavailable for that game, along with Bryan Robson due to injuries.
“Strach, who had previously played for Ferguson at Aberdeen, had cautioned us about how fiery and confrontational he could be. However, on that particular day, there was no explosion, no hairdryer treatment — I even saw him smiling!”
Despite this, the defeat that left United in 20th place, third from the bottom in the old First Division, was just the quiet before the storm.
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Within just three weeks, after a 1-0 loss to Wimbledon at Plough Lane, the infamous hairdryer would be unleashed.
Peter Barnes — who played only four matches for Ferguson — chuckles at the tale that he submerged himself in bathwater post-match to escape a dressing down from the manager.
The now 69-year-old, who returned to Manchester City by January, shared: “That was just a joke… there was barely three inches of water anyway.
“Strach spread that story around for a laugh, and it just seemed to stick.
“I had been a substitute, sitting wrapped in a towel, and our keeper Gary Bailey was the first to take the brunt.
“Norman Whiteside, Kevin Moran, Paul McGrath, and the others received a stern talking-to — except for Robbo, who was the captain.
“He made it clear that this was Manchester United, and players weren’t going to take things lightly — so represent the shirt, honor the badge… unlike what seems to be the case today, I might add.
“He shouted, ‘I didn’t take this job for fun. You either play for that shirt or there’s the door’.
“And he told full-back John Sivebaeck, ‘If you don’t learn to defend, son, you’ll be on the next.
“What a rude awakening. Yet the day before the Oxford match — and after the game — he had been quiet, even somewhat somber. We were all rather surprised.”
Blackmore was equally astonished by the initial absence of the fierce demeanor that Strachan had referenced — signed by Atkinson from Aberdeen in 1984.
The Welshman noted: “In that first match, he was testing the waters, trying to figure out how to proceed.”
That caution against misconduct — particularly targeting the notorious drinking culture involving Whiteside and McGrath — had not yet been delivered.
In fact, Blackmore’s first encounter with his new Scottish manager had minimal impact on him.
He remembered: “On the Friday morning before the first match, he pulled me aside at the club’s training ground.
“He was attempting to articulate his expectations for me — but honestly, I couldn't grasp a single word he was saying.
“I stood there nodding, trying to be polite, but I was thinking, ‘What on earth is this all about?’.
“It felt like I was listening to a completely unfamiliar language.”
Ferguson would soon become unmistakably clear, particularly in the dressing room after that Crazy Gang loss.
And Blackmore chuckled: “You could never truly predict him — at times he could be genuinely kind, even warm.
“But then, without warning, he could explode. The following season, we were in the dressing room at Old Trafford, preparing to face Sheffield Wednesday.
“Things were improving a bit by that October of 1987. Just weeks earlier, we had even found ourselves at the top of the table.
“Not that you’d notice from Sir Alex. He entered and exclaimed, ‘Right, do your own f***ing team talk’.
“We all turned to Robbo in hopes that he would say something, anything. So he stood up and stated, ‘You pick him up from corners, you mark him’, very basic stuff.
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“Fergie exclaimed, ‘Is that f***ing it?’ and erupted at us. We led 2-0 at half-time, but when we returned, he was still fuming — likely because he felt he hadn’t contributed to the lead. We ultimately triumphed 4-2, and I netted an incredible goal into the top corner.
“But he remained discontent. His hunger for more was unending.”
Blackmore was the only player from Ferguson’s debut starting lineup — alongside Robson — who celebrated the first of Fergie’s 13 Premier League titles in 1993.
The remaining players had all left within 18 months. Substitute Jesper Olsen lasted until 1988, Strachan departed a year later, and Sivebaeck was dispatched to Saint-Etienne by plane — not boat — in 1987.
This ruthless purge marked the beginning of Ferguson’s transformation on his path to becoming the most successful United manager in history.
Barnes now realizes the new Red Devils manager was actively crafting a new future almost from his first game.
It began with Fergie’s Fledglings, including Lee Sharpe, who was brought in from Torquay as Barnes’ replacement, Russell Beardsmore, and Lee Martin.
Then came the Class of ’92 — Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, the Neville brothers, David Beckham, Nicky Butt.
Former England winger Barnes recalled: “During my time at United, my first wife and I hosted a gathering at our home, and many of the lads attended.
“To my surprise, Sir Alex came as well. While we chatted, he mentioned, ‘For years, City has had the best youth policy in the country — we need to replicate that across the road’.”
The Scotsman later admitted that his first match left him pondering, ‘Oh, Christ, I’ve taken on a challenge here’.
It was merely the calm before the hairdryer made its grand entrance.
As Blackmore humorously pointed out: “There was plenty of time for that… little did we know back then!”
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