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Rio Ferdinand has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson once gave Cristiano Ronaldo a dressing down in front of Manchester United team-mates for trying to "play by himself".

The Portuguese star had a reputation for fancy footwork in his Red Devils days but went too far during a game back at Benfica.

Ferdinand claims that the Real Madrid forward was trying to prove himself to fans back in his native Portugal after a big money move to Old Trafford...and it wasn't working.

United lost "The Ronaldo show" and Ferguson let rip on the youngster.

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"We lost and afterwards the manager absolutely destroyed him. “Playing by yourself? Who the hell do you think you are?," Ferdinand reveals in his book #2Sides - serialised in The Sun.

Even though Ronaldo was one of United's stars, he wasn't immune to the infamous Ferguson "hairdryer treatment" and Ferdinand believes the former Scottish manager was brave to pull such a move.

And he wasn't the only one dishing out tough love to Old Trafford with Ferdinand also revealing he told a 19-year-old to "stop crying like a baby" when the youngster had burst into tears after finding out he hadn't been picked.

MORE:Moyes banned our chips...I was NOT impressed, says Rio

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Photos: Man United 4-0 QPR

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#2sides: Rio Ferdinand - My Autobiography (RRP £20) is published on 2nd October but pre-order now at the discounted rate of £16 (£1.75 p&p) by calling the Mirror Bookshop on 0843 060 0022