'I called Sir Alex Ferguson a c*** at Anfield - his reaction stunned me'

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Former Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey recalls the infamous incident at Anfield when he was sent off against Manchester United and angrily confronted Sir Alex Ferguson as he left the pitch. Fired up by the occasion and convinced Ferguson had influenced the referee, Shelvey shouted and swore at the United manager, later admitting he even called him a “c***” in the heat of the moment. He stormed down the tunnel believing he had stood up for himself and for Liverpool, but now recognises how unprofessional and immature his behaviour was.

In the article, Shelvey explains the context of that 2012 clash: a high‑stakes game at Anfield, his reckless two‑footed challenge on Jonny Evans, and the instant red card that changed the match. He describes how the atmosphere and the pressure of starting such a huge fixture as a young player caused his emotions to boil over. Looking back, he accepts full responsibility for the tackle and for losing his head, admitting that, at the time, he lacked the maturity to handle the situation properly.

The most surprising part of the story is Ferguson’s reaction afterwards. Shelvey says he sought out the legendary manager to apologise, expecting a cold or hostile response. Instead, Ferguson accepted the apology and told him that he actually liked the confrontation, because it showed Shelvey had “a bit of balls” and character. That unexpected grace from one of the game’s hardest, most respected figures left a lasting impression on Shelvey.

He reflects that he received plenty of approval from fans for standing up to Ferguson, but insists it was “silly” on such a big stage and not something a professional should do. With hindsight, he sees the episode as a key lesson in his development: a moment when raw aggression and youthful bravado collided with the realities of elite football – and when Ferguson’s calm, almost admiring response taught him more about respect, composure and growing up than any punishment could have.