Top 5 footballers to play under Sir Alex Ferguson

Check out the 5 best footballers to have played under Manchester United’s legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

Nobody can dispute Sir Alex Ferguson’s spot among the greatest football managers of all time. His exploits at Manchester United between 1986 and 2013 may never be repeated again.

The Scot took charge at Old Trafford during one of the club’s most difficult periods in history. It was a bold move for the former Aberdeen and Scotland coach. And while things took a shaky start, United soon flourished under him.

27 years later, Ferguson retired as a 13-time Premier League winner and overseen the development of countless superstars.

So, as it’s Sir Alex’s 80th birthday today, we give you the five best footballers to play under the legendary Scot.

David Beckham

Beckham spent his entire Manchester United career playing under Alex Ferguson from 1991 to 2003. He was a part of the famous ‘Class of 92’ and won 12 major titles. 387 appearances also came his way.

The former England captain developed into a renowned free-kick taker through Ferguson’s guidance. He made the right spot of the United midfield his own, often swinging in countless crosses with such precise accuracy. It made him the envy of many Premier League wingers.

One of Beckham’s most famous moments in a Red Devils jersey has to be scoring from inside his own half against Wimbledon in 1996.

He also played a key role in United’s treble success in the 1998/99 campaign and finished Ballon d’Or runner-up in 1999.

Paul Scholes

The midfielder was practically a wizard on the ball, passing at ease and shining consistently through the years. He was a critical part of Alex Ferguson’s success. So much that the Scot took him out of retirement in 2012.

After signing as a boy, Paul Scholes made 709 appearances for the Red Devils. He scored some beauties in his day on route to an impressive 152 goals.

How the England managers could never extract the same level of performances from Scholes is perhaps a testament to Ferguson’s skill.

Eric Cantona

Alex Ferguson pulled off the biggest bargain in Premier League history when he signed Cantona for just €1.80m in 1992. While he never got a sell-on fee, the on-pitch gains more than made up for it.

Cantona became an Old Trafford icon during his mesmerizing four-and-half-year spell in Manchester. The Red Devils striker knew how to bang in the goals, scoring some unbelievable strikes. We may see nothing like it again.

The Frenchman also reached double figures in three of his league campaigns for Man United on route to four Premier League titles and two FA Cups.

Ryan Giggs

One of the greatest players in Premier League history has to be Ryan Giggs, who continued to excel into his 40s.

The Welsh winger had everything in peak through speed, deadly crosses, and a magnificent free-kick ability. All these traits made him invaluable for Manchester United. However, it was during his later years that he really impressed.

Under Alex Ferguson’s watchful eye, Giggs transitioned into an all-round midfielder as the years went by. It enabled him to remain competitive until his last kick of a ball in 2014.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Alex Ferguson played a pivotal role in the development of one of the greatest footballers of all time, if not the best. It’s got to be one of his greatest accomplishments. Ronaldo even once claimed that the Scot ‘taught me everything’.

Ferguson installed confidence in Ronaldo by handing him the iconic #7 jersey in 2003 when he arrived from Sporting CP as an 18-year-old. He would win the Ballon d’Or just five years later.

Ronaldo learned how to maximize the productiveness of quick feet and ball control skills under Ferguson’s tutelage. Thus, he could breeze past defenders instead of losing time doing flashy step-overs.