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Rio Ferdinand has revealed how Sir Alex Ferguson was so furious during one of his hairdryer rants he spread "phlegm everywhere".

Ferdinand, who played for Ferguson for 11 years at United, recalled one outburst during the Reds' 2010 Champions League quarter-final with Bayern Munich, writes Samuel Luckhurst in the Manchester Evening News.

"There was phlegm everywhere," said Ferdinand.

"It was against Bayern Munich. I didn't agree with some of his decisions and I was screaming in the tunnel.

"I sat down and he came over and absolutely unloaded on me."

(Image: John Peters)

Ferdinand is either referring to the late 2-1 defeat in Munich or the 3-2 victory United registered in the return leg, only to go out on the away goals rule.

Rafael da Silva was sent off early in the second-half and Ferguson withdrew a half-baked Wayne Rooney for John O'Shea.

Arjen Robben's sliced volley proved to be decisive for Louis van Gaal's Bayern, as 80th minute substitutes Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov failed to inspire a distraught United.

(Image: Matthew Peters)

Ferdinand also shed light on Ferguson's more caring side.

"He had moments of rage like that, but at times what set him apart was the compassion he's got as well," he told Radio 1.

"If there was anyone ill in anyone's family he always found time and sent flowers."

The 36-year-old also revealed how he irked Ferguson shortly after joining from Leeds United in 2002.

"I was injured in the first game I played in a pre-season game," Ferdinand added.

"Those first six weeks and I was going out because I wasn't playing. Just after I came back he said 'Rio how are you enjoying Manchester?' I said 'yeah it's good gaff I've just been to a few restaurants, a few quiet nights in.'

"He let me finish and went 'Listen son, if you want to play for this football club for a long time, cut the rubbish out.'

"I thought, well he's the mafia. Everyone's telling him where I've been, what I've drunk and how much I've paid for stuff. It was unbelievable.

"He probably employed someone on social media when it all came out to make sure he was abreast of everything."