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Steve McClaren urged the current Manchester United side to be more ruthless as he revealed how Roy Keane used to strike fear into Premier League referees.
Current Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said his side need to stop being so nice to maybe get things going their way.
Decisions did not go in United’s favour in their clash with Sheffield United, which they lost 1-0, with Solskjaer claiming the PGMOL have said they got it wrong with Kean Bryan’s goal and Anthony Martial’s disallowed one.
“I understand why the decisions were made,” Solskjær said. “Unfortunately they went against us and they were wrong. Maybe we should have made more of a fuss about it. We are a bunch of nice lads: maybe we should have really made them look at it before the game started again.”
Teams don’t get more ruthless than those during the Sir Alex Ferguson era, which Solskjaer played in when Keane was captain.
One infamous incident at Old Trafford saw Keane and five of his teammates surround Andy D’Urso and berate him for awarding Middlesbrough a penalty during a Premier League game in 2000.
Former United assistant McClaren joined talkSPORT Breakfast and recalled how the players’ competitive streak struck fear into referees – himself having been one for their training ground matches.
When asked if Ferguson would ask players to get around the referee and make it difficult for them, McClaren said: “One, without a doubt. Two, we just had those type of players.
“You are the referee when you are coaching and managing on Monday to Friday. It’s the worst job in the world.
“When you’ve got the squad of players like Manchester United had, they were so competitive that refereeing the games were a nightmare.
“I have sympathies with the referees at the present moment and in the past. They really put the referees under pressure.
“One referee said he was definitely influenced and intimidated by Old Trafford and 75,000 people but most of all by Roy Keane getting right into his face.”
McClaren also said United need to be more ruthless and go on another long, unbeaten run in order to have a chance of lifting the title.
The Red Devils slipped off the pace of rivals Man City following recent results but are by no means out of things.
When asked if United need to be more ruthless, McClaren said: “Absolutely, I think that’s one of the ingredients if you want to be champions. They’ve built up the season after starting very poorly and are on a great run.
“Now they have to be ruthless. That’s what United always had to win championships and he needs that now.
“The consistency he had, a 12 or 13 game unbeaten run, he’s lost to Sheffield United and it’s always a decent point to Arsenal.
“Whoever is going to win the championship now has to go on another 12 or 13 match unbeaten run.
“Liverpool are certainly capable of doing that but Manchester City look unbeatable at the moment.
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