'It was chucking it down with rain and Fergie pulled me aside and said do me a favour, call the game off," Gallagher told
Sportlobster TV. 'I asked why and he said theres nowhere else to fit this game in and the Premier League will have to extend the season. Well have a better chance of winning the match and well win the league at Old Trafford.
'At half time United were losing 3-1 and the pitch was like a swimming pool. As we came off he said I know were 3-1 down but please call it off, we could do with a hand here. 'They managed to pull it back to 3-3 and in the last minute Dennis Irwin ran into the box and went down in front of the Stretford End and I only gave a goal kick. 'At full-time Fergie sprinted across the pitch and shouted at me furiously. My wife said, Fergie had a right go at you about that penalty didnt he.
Call it off? Ferguson wanted the game to be postponed while United were 3-1 down against Boro in 1997
One up: Juninho (left) puts Middlesbrough in the lead but the North East side were unable to win
'I told her he hadnt mentioned the penalty. She asked why he came tearing across the pitch at me then. The truth is he ran over and asked me if I was going out to dinner that night. I said no and he asked why are we leaving so early then?.'
Indeed, Ferguson's ability to squeeze every last second out of officials when his side were losing has since been highlighted. With United trailing at Old Trafford under their former boss, an average of 79 seconds extra was played in added time.
Retired: But Gallagher has lifted the lid on Ferguson's hairdryer
Fury: Ferguson blasts Mike Dean during a clash with Newcastle on Boxing Day last season