Sir Alex Ferguson: Man Utd Boss Intimidated Referees - Redknapp

QPR manager Harry Redknapp believes officials have been "afraid to upset" Sir Alex Ferguson, after praising the contribution of the retiring Manchester United boss.

Everton boss David Moyes, 50, will take over on 1 July from the Scot, 71, who announced his retirement on Wednesday.

"A lot of officials would be in awe of him and afraid to upset him," Redknapp told Radio 5 live's Sportsweek.

"There was such an aura about him because he is a winner."

Redknapp added: "I never had any doubts about that. If there was a bit of time to be added they would make sure they got it right because they did not want to upset him.

"Especially young referees, and even one or two of the older ones, were a little bit afraid to upset him."

In January 2009, then-Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, made similar complaints. He said: "We know what happens every time we go to Old Trafford and the United staff.

"They are always going man to man with the referees, especially at half-time when they walk close to the referees and they are talking and talking."

Ferguson will say his farewell to Old Trafford in Sunday's Premier League match against Swansea City, along with midfielder Paul Scholes who announced his retirement on Saturday.

The former Aberdeen manager will step down at the end of the season, after winning 38 trophies during his 26 years in charge.

"I think we all knew it would come suddenly. I thought he would go on for a couple of years yet," said Redknapp, whose QPR side have been relegated to the Championship.

"He has won the Premier League and maybe feels it is a good time to go out and enjoy his life. Maybe he wants a bit more time to do stuff away from football.

"He has put great teams together. He has known the right time to let people go and never been afraid to make the big decisions. Whether it was Roy Keane, David Beckham or Jaap Stam, all the great players have come and gone. He knows the game inside out."

Moyes, who was recommended to the United board by Ferguson, has not won a major trophy in his 11-year stay at Everton but Redknapp believes he is the right choice of successor.

He said: "It is great for British coaches that Manchester United have picked someone who has come up through the lower divisions. It is good they have given the opportunity to David Moyes, I think he will be fantastic.

"It is a tough job. Moyes built a great team at Everton and I'm sure he will do a great job at Manchester United."

BBC SPORT