Fergie's fearful, insist trio

Manchester United's trio of French stars admit Sir Alex Ferguson's famous dressing room rants have taken a lot of getting used to.

The fiery Scot's 'hairdryer' treatment has become a thing of legend over his 20-year stint at Old Trafford.

United's Gallic contingent of Louis Saha, Mikael Silvestre and Patrice Evra have all been left dumb-founded at times by the way the boss can turn the anger on and off.

"Sir Alex is absolutely charming in everyday life, but when he gets annoyed you realise it is something that affects him very deeply. He honestly scares me at times," Evra told the Daily Mirror.

"The strange thing is that he can explode on occasions when you don't expect him to. I remember we were winning a game last season 2-0 at half time, and he came into the dressing room yelling as though we were losing 8-0. I was petrified."

Evra's defensive team-mate Silvestre moved to Old Trafford from Internazionale seven years ago and has seen his fair share of rollickings over that period.

"His tirades are spectacular. But I've got to admit he is seldom in the wrong when he raises his voice," Silvestre elaborated.

"A few years ago he was shouting in the dressing room after a game. Then a few moments later, he sat down to a game of cards on the coach home with Roy Keane, Dwight Yorke and Denis Irwin."

Front man Saha has made a prolific start to the new season as he takes over from Ruud van Nistelrooy as United's principal goal provider.

The former Fulham ace's two-and-a-half years in Manchester have been blighted by injury, but he admits he has come to appreciate the manager's up-front style.

"Sir Alex would have made a great company director," Saha added.

"He speaks frankly and doesn't hide away, and knows how to get the best out of people.

"After giving someone a mouthful he'll calm down just as quickly, and he never bears a grudge."

With the international break this weekend, United are not in action again until the trip to Wigan Athletic live on Sky Sports 1 on October 14.