ALEX FERGUSON has hailed only six Manchester United players he
regards as world class during his reign. The list from his 20 years
in charge does NOT include David Beckham, with whom he had an
acrimonious split.
Becks came runner-up in the competition for World Player of the
Year during his time at United. But he did not get a mention in
Fergies elite list although the Old Trafford boss predicts
Cristiano Ronaldo will become No 7.
Ferguson said: Ive been blessed with several world-class
players.
Peter Schmeichel was certainly one. Ryan Giggs, for me,
definitely. Eric Cantona could have been even better, but for the
parts of him you had to control. Wayne Rooney. Thats four and I
think Ronaldo is going to be. Hes playing in the hardest position,
out wide, and never refuses to take the ball and attack
players.
Hes two-footed, hes brave and, once his decision-making
improves, hell be world-class without question. Then theres Roy
Keane. Thats five. And theres an argument for Paul Scholes, the
cleverest midfield player weve ever had.
To work with such people has been an absolute pleasure. Its
fulfilled every aspiration that occurred to me when I joined the
Scotland set-up and encountered the likes of Dalglish and
Souness.
