Current boss Louis van Gaal has imposed a strict code of conduct about the canteen and rules with an iron fist

Former striker Dimitar Berbatov often opted to sit by himself

The legendary Scottish manager was not against the occasional prank

Sir Alex Ferguson made sure all club staff dined together from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo to the security guard on the gate

Despite the influx of foreign stars, flash cars and millionaire salaries there is one room at Manchester United's state of-the-art Aon training complex that retains a down-to-earth Mancunian feel.

Up the stairs through the main entrance is the 100-seat canteen, where a team of feisty dinner ladies ensure nobody gets too big for their boots.

As revealed previously by Sportsmail, manager Louis van Gaal rules the roost at Carrington, even choosing which tables get to go first to the serving hatch.

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal gives a food-fighting Wayne Rooney a stern look in Gary's cartoon

Manchester United's Carrington canteen, pictured here in 2000, plays a vital role at the club

L-R: Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney and Paul Scholes warm up during a training session in 2005

Red Devils manager Van Gaal has imposed a strict code of conduct about the canteen

But should Wayne Rooney and Co step out of line they are quick to hear about it from the locals.

Just ask Rio Ferdinand. When the south London born central defender arrived from Leeds United for a then British record £30million in 2002 and ordered his meal in pure Peckham tones, he was quickly told to start speaking properly.

Under Sir Alex Ferguson's egalitarian rule, all staff dined together — from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo to the security guard on the gate.

That has since changed with non-playing staff now ushered into a separate room down a corridor by the fiercely protective Dutch master. 'The place had a family feel,' one source said. 'Everyone felt like they were in it together.'

Not that Ferguson was above the occasional prank to keep staff on their toes.

On more than one occasion he was spotted craftily locking the door to the gym. When the buzzer sounded for training and players discovered they could not get out, panic took hold.

Anyone who turned up late was fined — and within seconds first-team stars were seen frantically scrambling through an alternative exit to race around the building and ensure they got there on time.

Ferguson also enjoyed sneaking up behind unwitting canteen staff before unleashing one of his famous hairdryer tirades — with his startled victim often sending food flying.

Former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson (right) was not against the occasional prank at Carrington

L-R: Ronaldo, Rooney and Rio Ferdinand are put through their paces in training back in 2005

Food fights in the Carrington canteen are relatively rare, but on one occasion things quickly escalated when Rooney returned to his seat to find his breakfast had been tampered with.

'I think it was Jonny Evans and Darren Fletcher,' a source explained. 'Rooney had left his scrambled eggs unattended, a cardinal sin, and when he got back they were covered in yoghurt and all sorts. That was it. Within seconds it had erupted. There were crumpets, toasted teacakes and plastic bottles of pop flying through the air.'

Upon his arrival in the summer of 2014, Van Gaal changed the tables from rectangular to circular in a bid to foster more interaction between the players.

One corner, however, will for ever remain linked with Dimitar Berbatov.

The Bulgarian striker, a £30.75m signing from Tottenham Hotspur in 2008, was not a great socialiser and would often retire to 'his' table with a bowl of pasta to dine alone.

Perhaps surprisingly, given all that players and managers say about ignoring the press, daily newspapers remain a Carrington staple while the television sets are religiously set to the Sky Sports News channel.

Former Red Devils hitman Dimitar Berbatov often sat by himself at meal times in the canteen

Berbatov, pictured here scoring against Wigan, signed for United in 2008 from Tottenham for £30.75m

And when stories about alleged extracurricular activities have appeared in the tabloids there have been times when the player at the centre of the exposé has arrived to a dining room full of delighted team-mates waving newspapers in the air.

The canteen has also been the scene of a 'near-death experience'.

In the mid-2000s a fringe squad member sent the room into a frenzy when he was spotted trying to prise a stuck slice of bread from a toaster with a metal knife.

With staff and players screaming at him to pull the knife out before he electrocuted himself — and brought a promising career to a premature end — the player, who was in and out of the first team and suffering a poor run of form, said he had had enough and was going to end it all.

Unbeknown to onlookers, he had pulled out the toaster's plug before carrying out his stunt.

United players train at the club's Carrington base during the 2006-07 Premier League season

Christmas is another time for Carrington carry-on. Each year the tables are turned and club staff go behind the counter to serve the food.

The switch ended in disaster one December for former club secretary Ken Ramsden, who tripped over a chair and broke his elbow while dishing out grub — leaving him unable to travel to a forthcoming Champions League draw.

The canteen is also the scene of the annual Christmas pantomime, where academy players take great pleasure in performing comic impressions of first-team players.

In 2011 Rooney took the brunt of the jokes when he was ridiculed for his hair transplant by a youth-team player who dressed up in a No 10 shirt, Shrek mask and curly black wig.

The youngster then gave a mock interview, describing how his new head of hair had changed his life.

According to one insider, the food is on a par with that served in the finest restaurants in Manchester, though players can also help themselves to simpler fare — such as chicken, pizza and fresh fish. Special orders are also catered for.

Each player has his own favourite dish. Patrice Evra, United's former left back, was a huge fan of lamb cutlets.

'He was like a swarm of locusts when there was lamb on the menu,' one member of staff disclosed. 'Patrice would sit down, get cracking and they would be gone in seconds.'

Head chef Mike is a popular figure and often travels with the team to ensure their dietary needs are met.

Ex-United defender Patrice Evra (left) was partial to lamb cutlets when he dined in the canteen

David Moyes, sacked by Untied in 2014, banned chips from the canteen during his ill-fated tenure

Van Gaal also revealed how the dyed-in-the-wool United fan helped him prepare for last season's clash with old rivals Liverpool by telling him and the players what the clash meant to supporters.

David Moyes's short spell in charge saw chips disappear from the menu, according to Ferdinand, while under Ferguson players were allowed just one cooked breakfast a week.

Should they try to sneak in another fry-up, the manager, who enjoyed a close rapport with Mike, was immediately on their case.

In 2013, after announcing his retirement to the players and coaching staff, Ferguson headed up the stairs to the dining room for the last time.

Those present say that there were tears from staff who had worked there for more than 30 years as the manager warned them there may be changes ahead.

Dutchman Van Gaal gives instructions to his players in training earlier this week

Germany international midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger sprints alongside his United team-mates

He was not wrong, and according to another source Van Gaal's arrival has changed not only the tables but the atmosphere.

'Don't get me wrong, people still like a laugh but it's not like it used to be,' said the insider.

Yet despite the changes, one thing remains constant.

'It's still the same women who work in there,' added the source. 'And if anyone steps out of line they quickly know about it.'

Red Devils midfielder Michael Carrick (centre) trains with his team-mates on Monday

L-R: Juan Mata, Ander Herrera and Matteo Darmian complete drills in training earlier this week



