Sir Alex Ferguson once revealed Al Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was among the four world-class players that he managed in his legendary Manchester United career.
Ferguson, who called it time on a distinguished 26-year reign in 2013, captured an incredible 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies with United.
The legendary 81-year-old Scotsman also managed a plethora of incredible talent, including Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, David Beckham and Bryan Robson.
However, United legend Ferguson claimed that there were only four players who he managed that would fall into the ‘world class’ bracket.
Ferguson’s four ‘world-class players’
Speaking in his 2015 autobiography ‘Leading,’ Ferguson named legendary United trio Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes among his four world-class players.
And the former United manager rounded off his picks with Ronaldo, who Ferguson described as the “ornament on the top of a Christmas tree.”
“In my book there are only two world-class players playing today: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo,” Ferguson said (via The Daily Mail).
“I don’t mean to demean or criticise any of the great or very good footballers who played for me during my 26-year career at United, but there were only four who were world class: Cantona, Giggs, Ronaldo and Scholes.
“And of the four Cristiano was like an ornament on the top of a Christmas tree.”
He added: “If you read the papers or listen to the television commentators, we seem to be awash with ‘world-class’ footballers.”
Ronaldo is the best player Ferguson managed
Ronaldo arrived at Old Trafford in 2003 from Sporting CP and enjoyed incredible success under Ferguson in his first spell at United.
Ferguson holds the 38-year-old Portuguese forward in high regard and believes that he was the best player he ever managed in his illustrious career.
Speaking in Nuremberg after receiving the Walther Bensemann prize in 2016, he said (via The Independent): “Ronaldo is a perfect example of someone who made himself.
“It’s easy for me to say, ‘Yeah, I made Ronaldo.’
“Many coaches might say I made this player and I made that player, but Ronaldo made himself.
“We just gave him the tools and the platform to excel. His practice ethic was incredible.”
