Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson almost came to blows with his former captain Roy Keane, it has been revealed.

The Daily Mail says Ferguson used to love joining in with the lads at Manchester United. Before the more serious aspect of any training session would begin, he would nip down from his office at Carrington and take part in what they call squares.

This is the game that England players so often use as a warm-up drill when one guy stands in the centre holding a bib while the others attempt to pass the ball, one touch, around him.

One day, however, it all turned rather sour. Ferguson tried to blame Roy Keane for losing possession and suggested it was the turn of the Irishman to play piggy in the middle. But Keane was having none of it and in a four lettered fit of rage informed his manager that he was sick and tired of him ruining their game.

The two, witnesses have since claimed, almost came to blows before Ferguson walked away from what would be his last squares encounter.