FERGIE'S FAVE ... Utd legend Denis
Law
ALEX FERGUSON said: "Denis was my hero. I idolised him.
When I first met him I was so excited. It was at a game in Paris,
he had played in the first half and we went for a cup of tea
afterwards. I thought, 'This is it, I've made it!'
"He epitomised everything a Scotsman is about. He was
daring and courageous, he had that bravado about him and he had
style. He was a truly fantastic footballer."
DEFENDER Jonny Evans said: "I reckon 80 per cent of
young players who supported Manchester United when they were
growing up would tell you that Roy Keane was their hero - just
because of the way he was and the character he is.
"Keano was an awesome player - and an incredible
leader."
CLUB skipper Gary Neville explained: "I always thought
Bryan Robson was everything that a United player should be - and I
still do.
"Even when I watch footage of him in action now, I
always think of him giving everything for the cause. Blood, guts
and thunder - with real class as well."
MIDFIELDER John O'Shea said: "Paul McGrath was a big
favourite.
"He was as comfortable playing in midfield as he was at
centre-back. It wasn't a problem to him. He was the versatile
type.
"And not only did he have great ability he was also
very calm on the ball. He was a special player."
KEEPER Ben Foster said: "Peter Schmeichel was a cut
above the rest in his era and changed the face of goalkeeping.
"I still try to model myself on him and use aspects of
his game in mine.
"He produced some truly unbelievable saves. I still
watch them on YouTube."
MIDFIELDER Anderson goes for fellow Brazil playmaker
Rivaldo.
He said: "His passing and his aggressive way of playing
was great.
"I'm definitely a big admirer of his technique."
DEFENDER Rio Ferdinand said: "My inspiration to play
football was probably Diego Maradona.
"He's the first memory I have of someone doing
something really great. I had all his videos and loved watching
him."
Midfielder Ryan Giggs added: "I always used to look out
for left-footers and John Barnes and Maradona were always the ones
that I looked up to when I was a kid.
"I remember Maradona in the 1986 World Cup. He was such
a great player. That goal he scored against England - not the Hand
of God goal - was absolutely amazing."
Hitman Carlos Tevez added: "Maradona is the greatest
player of all time. Diego, for all Argentinians, is God. And he
always will be.
"I have a great relationship with Diego.
"My family also has a great relationship with his
family and I have a really, genuinely warm bond with him."
And fellow striker Wayne Rooney said: "My favourite
player is Maradona.
"I've watched lots of videos of him in action and I
just love the way he played.
"In my eyes, he's the best player of all time."
STRIKER Dimitar Berbatov names a trio of heroes, Ivan
Berbatov, Marco van Basten and Alan Shearer.
He said: "My father Ivan taught me so I've lots to
thank him for. When you hear the other names you don't need to be
told why they were great."
MIDFIELDER Michael Carrick selects Peter Beardsley,
Gazza and Ian Wright.
He said: "I loved the way Beardo played the game.
Gascoigne was an absolute genius.
"Wright I enjoyed watching more for his goal
celebrations."