Daily Mail

Sale’s Fergie time!

Legendary former United boss gives finalists pep talk before Twickenham clash

- By CHRIS FOY Rugby Correspond­ent

PROUD northerner Sir Alex Ferguson visited Sale Sharks yesterday in a bid to share his wisdom as the club prepare for their first Premiershi­p final in 17 years.

The legendary former Manchester United manager went to Carrington to meet Alex Sanderson’s squad ahead of their showdown with Saracens at Twickenham on Saturday and told them: ‘You’re not there to enjoy it, you’re there to win.’

Ferguson (right) has previously watched Sale play and has links to one of the co-owners. ‘it happened through Ged Mason — with shared investment­s in racehorses — and through him being a proud northerner and having influence in winning cups,’ said Sanderson.

‘We thought we would try and wring a bit of gold out of him and he didn’t disappoint. He had the lads on the edge of their seats and came up with some convincing advice. it was not new stuff but when it comes from Sir Alex’s mouth it is gospel, isn’t it?

‘if we are relying on Sir Alex on a Tuesday morning to win us this cup, there is something wrong — but it is small percentage­s he can add and an increased feeling and hype about how special this week is.’

For Sale centre Manu Tuilagi, it was a chance to meet Ferguson for a second time, having listened to him talk before the 2019 World Cup. He added: ‘it was amazing seeing him again. He’s a legend of the world. We had him in to give us some wisdom to take into the weekend.’

So what was the message? ‘Win,’ he said. ‘ He talked about getting into these big games, getting it right mentally and physically.’ Sale were inspired by a visit from rugby league Jamie Peacock before their semi- final win over Leicester and Tuilagi added: ‘ We can learn from people who have been there and done that. What i picked up from them is their mentality. They all have a similar mentality. They are willing to pay a price, physically or mentally, to get to where you want to go. The price of sacrifice. That’s why they’re successful.’ lTWiCKENHA­M could be at just two-thirds of its 82,000 capacity for the Premiershi­p final, its lowest attendance since 2007. As of yesterday afternoon, just over 53,000 tickets had been sold, with each finalist thought to have sold 8,000 tickets from their allocation­s.

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