Sir Alex Ferguson's Liverpool comment to ref Webb said it all about Man Utd icon

Sir Alex Ferguson's return of 13 Premier League titles in 21 seasons is the kind of tally which is unlikely to ever be replicated, with the former Manchester United manager collecting a slew of trophies during his time at Old Trafford.

His United side was known for being impossible to write off, with thrilling comebacks and late winners characterising the team to the point that the concept of 'Fergie-time' followed the manager around.

The Scot was also known for his mind games off the field, though, whether that meant interactions with his fellow managers or even with match officials.

And one such incident, involving former referee Howard Webb, provided a perfect example of Ferguson testing just how much he was able to get away with.

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Webb, who was a fan of his local team Rotherham United, took charge of 296 Premier League games over the course of his career.

He notably sent off Cristiano Ronaldo in a Manchester Derby in 2008, one of three red cards he awarded to United players.

The referee awarded 10 penalties to United, more than for any other club, though he also took charges of more games involving the Manchester club than anyone else.

As reported by The Athletic, Ferguson once responded to a refereeing performance from Webb in a game between Liverpool and United by referencing the official singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone'after a Referee's Association dinner.

"I saw you, I saw you singing, 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. Fucking says it all, that," he said to Webb at half-time.

The referee called Ferguson into his dressing room, at which point the United boss made it clear he wasn't serious, telling him "Anyway, I know you're a Rotherham fan."

When you're in charge for as long as Ferguson, you will always have afternoons where things don't go your way, and the way you react to those setbacks will always be significant.

You are also certain to come into contact with the same referees time and time again, and there is a line you need to tread between criticising decisions and casting doubt on the motivations of the men in the middle.

Ferguson's comments towards Webb were right on that line, and your opinion of which side they fall on may well follow what you already think about the manager.

Assistant manager Steve McClaren also pointed out the desire of Ferguson to instil that mindset in his players.

"It wasn't a case of, 'All behave yourselves, all be charming'," he told The Athletic.

"The manager expected everyone to be like him and argue the point over everything. Not to win at all costs, but to take the rules to the very limits."

Sir Alex Ferguson wasn't the first manager to test the limits of what is possible, and nor will he be the last.

More recently, we have seen bosses approach referees in person - as with Jurgen Klopp during Liverpool's Premier League draw with Tottenham - while others have saved their comments about officials for their press conferences.

With Ferguson, though, you always felt he always knew exactly where the line was.

He knew what most people could get away with, and then he knew what he would be able to get away with if he framed things in the right way.

Could he pull the same tricks now with the same expectation of success? That doesn't really matter, as long as it worked for him at the time.