FORMER Manchester United star Nani has claimed Sir Alex Ferguson would turn a blind eye to his players turning up training drunk over the festive period.
The Portuguese winger says his former boss had such good man management skills he allowed it to slide if his players showed up worse-for-wear in the hectic Christmas and New Year programme.
Nani revealed that no-nonsense Fergie recognised the demands over that time were so tough it was important for his United squad to let their hair down.
Speaking to Tribuna Expresso, he said: "If I had the next day off, for example, then I could have some fun…on special days like Christmas or New Year – no one in England cares about that.
"On New Year, we could even go to training drunk and the coach didn't care about it.
"That's the side of [Sir Alex] that knew how to deal with the players and have the perception to say, 'this day is special, I can't make demands'.
"We had been playing non-stop all year long. It was a joy, a moment of relaxation, a different kind of training – clowning around. I won't lie, I liked nights out."
Nani spent eight years as a United player, winning four Premier League titles and the Champions League during his time there.
And he credits Ferguson for playing a crucial role in helping him to settle and flourish as a player and person.
He added: "It was amazing. He knows how to deal with the player, whether they are older or younger.
"He knows how to manage their professional career and the human being.
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"With him I can say that I gained a unique experience and maturity because they were very important phases of my life.
"I needed to grow up really fast, to learn and deal with that culture and the club culture.
"It was great for me to have Sir Alex Ferguson. Carlos Queiroz, who was also exemplary in this respect, spoke the my language and that was fundamental for me."
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