Sir Alex Ferguson believes the supporters make a huge difference to getting results on matchday as he recalled the vibrant atmosphere generated by the travelling Manchester United fans on the road.
In the week the club welcomed 10,000 spectators back into Old Trafford for the first time since COVID-19 struck, the former Reds manager held an absorbing interview with actor Christopher Eccleston to discuss the much-vaunted new film Never Give In.
While discussing a variety of topics and the documentary in detail, Salford-born Eccleston asked if fans can genuinely influence the outcome of matches after being part of the Red Army at home and away for many years.
Sir Alex fondly recalled some of the away trips with his team during his glorious reign at United and paid tribute to the passion generated by the crowd.
“Fantastic,”
he declared. “I relished going to London. Queens Park Rangers, we had the whole end, a third of the stand. Wimbledon, the whole side. Fulham, the whole end.
“It's fantastic, you can't help but [be inspired by it]. One hundred per cent, it can influence it.
“Put it this way, an example is Liverpool, who lost six home games a row this season. When did that ever happen at Anfield? The influence that crowds make, particularly at massive stadiums like Anfield, Old Trafford and Newcastle, it's a big influence.
“Newcastle is fantastic; the noise, all black and white. Everybody is in black and white. They shove the away fans way out at the top, up the road, but we had a great record there.”
Look out for the full interview in our Official App from Monday 24 May.