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Gary Neville on Sir Alex Ferguson's 'intense' Anfield hairdryer treatment

Alex Ferguson shouts in the direction of assistant referee Andy Garrett during a Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion on December 29, 2012
Image: Sir Alex Ferguson's Anfield hairdryers were the most intense, says Gary Neville

Gary Neville believes Anfield was the scene of Sir Alex Ferguson's angriest moments as Manchester United manager.

The former United right-back sat down with fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher on 'Gary Neville's Soccerbox' and looked back at some past matches against Liverpool.

And he said former boss Ferguson would often save his famous 'hairdryer' treatment for those fixtures because it meant so much to him.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson gestures as Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish looks on
Image: Ferguson managed United 64 times against Liverpool, losing 21 games

"Sir Alex was always different around the big games," Neville said. "He could be quite relaxed, particularly towards the end, around what I would call 'normal' games, but towards the Liverpool and City games he was always more intense.

"During the week, if you walked down the corridor before a big game he'd be like 'hi son', whereas in the normal games he'd be more chatty.

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"He was different going into the big games and to be honest with you, the most consistently angry that I saw him.

"People talk about the hairdryer and it never happened that much to be honest with you during a season, but the most consistent place you would see it was Anfield - at half-time or the end of the game.

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Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville exchange words after Manchester United are awarded a penalty
Image: Watch Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher on a special Liverpool v Manchester United Countdown show live from Anfield from 6pm on Sky Sports Premier League on Friday night

"He could not stand losing at Anfield - and if we won there, it didn't matter how we played - it was like the best thing in the world."

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Neville explained that dressing room arguments were worse at Liverpool because the away changing room was so close to the home one.

But he explained that sometimes Ferguson wouldn't speak to anybody after defeats at Anfield.

He added: "The worst I've ever seen him consistently was at Anfield if we were losing at half-time or at the end of the game.

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Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville watch Liverpool's 3-1 win over Manchester United at Anfield from 2001 and discuss the rivalry and where the visitors went wrong

"He'd sit there unmoved in the dressing room at the end of the game while everyone was getting showered for 25 minutes. Just not moving.

"Once when I was a kid, just travelling, I remember him having a massive row with Schmeichel and Ince in the changing room. It was unbelievable, just proper going for each other.

Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp (composite)
Image: Don't miss Liverpool v Manchester United from 11.30am, Saturday, Sky Sports Premier League

"We always knew as well that [Liverpool] could hear everything that was being said, probably laughing on the other side of the wall."

Watch Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher on a special Liverpool v Manchester United Countdown show live from Anfield from 6pm on Sky Sports Premier League on Friday night.

And don't miss Liverpool v Manchester United from 11.30am, Saturday, Sky Sports Premier League.

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