Remembering Sir Alex Ferguson's ‘worst day ever’ as Man United boss and the players he blamed

24.03.2022 - 08:03 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Sir Alex Ferguson name-checked two first team players after the infamous 2011 Manchester derby loss at Old Trafford that saw Manchester City dismantle Manchester United 6-1.

The Old Trafford hero labelled that fateful October afternoon as his “worst day ever” as United boss in the season that saw the ‘noisy neighbours’ lift their first title in the Premier League era. One culprit was Jonny Evans, then 23, was sent off for hauling down Mario Balotelli when he was through on goal with the score 1-0 to the visitors.

Speaking after the game, Sir Alex admitted Evans' dismissal dealt a major blow to his side on the day. "Jonny Evans' sending off was a killer for us,” he said.

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“With 10 men we kept attacking - it was crazy football and ended up being an embarrassment. We should have just said: 'We've had our day'.

"I believe you shouldn't bring down a man on the edge of the box. Evans is young but he should let Balotelli go through and see what he can do.”

Ferguson named two players whom he expected to perform more defensively after the sending off, but their failure to do so led to a “bad day.” The legendary boss continued: “I thought with the experience we've got - Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra - they would have defended more but we just kept attacking.

“Sometimes there has to be common sense about it. It was a bad day. I can't believe the scoreline. Even as a player I don't think I ever lost 6-1. That's a challenge for me too."

The defeat was Sir Alex’s biggest Premier League loss but he would guide the club back to his 13th - and final - title the following season, his last campaign as United boss. Since October 2011, the Red Devils have