Sir Alex Ferguson rolls back years with rousing team talk before Old Trafford win

Sir Alex Ferguson's winning mentality inspired the Wigan Warriors rugby league team to secure a historic quadruple at Old Trafford, the home of . The Warriors beat Hull Kingston Rovers 9-2, securing their second consecutive title at the iconic stadium and becoming the first Super League club to win all four major trophies in a single season.

The team, led by self-confessed United fan Matt Peet, also clinched the League Leaders' Shield, the World Club Challenge and the Challenge Cup. Peet, who previously named as one of his coaching inspirations, disclosed that he had arranged for the legendary Scotsman to meet with the Warriors players and give them a team talk the night before the crucial match.

Ferguson is renowned for his disciplined managerial style and achievements at Old Trafford, where he became the most successful manager in United's history. During his nearly three-decade tenure, secured two Champions League titles, 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, and one European Winners' Cup.

With a total of 49 major trophies won under Ferguson's stewardship, one of his most notable victories was when the United squad secured the first-ever Treble, which included the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League. Peet referenced this accomplishment as he recounted the iconic manager's team talk to his players, suggesting that he felt the Warriors were on track to achieve something similar with their quadruple.

The 40-year-old said: "Sir Alex presented all of the lads' jerseys. We reached out through a mutual friend. We just thought that we were on the verge of something similar to when United won the Treble. Playing at Old Trafford and with Sir Alex building careers by developing homegrown talent, with his mentality, we thought he'd be the perfect person."

Peet was in awe of Ferguson's "epic" speech and noted the legendary manager's ability to captivate an audience, leaving him and his players utterly stunned. He continued: "Fortunately, we could make that happen and he was epic, as you can imagine.

"The way you hung on every word he said, it wasn't just about what he was saying but his presence. I've never seen the lads so quiet. To have a leader like that, who is also such a humble man, was incredible; you could hear a pin drop. I can never thank him enough for that."

Ferguson retired from managing in May 2013 and left behind a legacy at United that no other manager in the Premier League so far has come close to replicating. His style of coaching was revered by other coaches and pundits alike, with former first-team coach Rene Meulensteen claiming that the Scotsman was totally unique as he had so many skills to use in the job.

Speaking on the , the Dutchman said: "Personality, commitment and drive, knowledge, the right people, adaptability, man management and delegating.

"People would say to me, 'it must have been a difficult job working with Sir Alex Ferguson'. Absolutely not, it was a joy. I never felt any moment of anxiety and that was because of how he managed and how he was with everyone. Every single session he would walk in, go past you and tap you on the shoulder, 'well done'."