In a candid interview for the New Statesman with ex-New Labour spinmeister (and loyal Burnley fan), the United boss talks of his struggle to name a single best team from his time at Old Trafford.
“My problem with United is I have had so many great players that I can’t do one dream team,” he said. On being asked to name two, Sir Alex somewhat surprisingly obliged.
“Well, two goalies for sure – Schmeichel and Van der Sar. Both top ’keepers. Full-backs, Denis Irwin, Gary Neville, Evra and these Da Silva boys are something else. Centre-backs, you’d have to say Stam, Bruce, Pallister, Ferdinand and Vidic. Ronny Johnsen was top-drawer as well. Jonny Evans will be up there.”
Moving on to the midfield, Fergie starts with his original Captain Marvel. “Bryan Robson for sure. Roy Keane. Scholes. Giggs – I’d never, ever leave him out if I was playing my best team. Ronaldo and Cantona are both ‘never leave out’ players. You’d have Beckham knocking on the door.”
And up front? “Out-and-out strikers, where do I start – Van Nistelrooy, Cole, Yorke, Solskjaer, Sheringham. As for Rooney, if I left him out, I’d have to do it by e-mail or I’d never hear the end of it.”
The length of the list and the quality of players on it is a testament to Manchester United’s success under Sir Alex, and the Scot admits he has been very lucky. “God, when you go through it like that, I have been blessed with terrific players.”
Ferguson was more equivocal when asked by Campbell whether the perfect career ending would be to win the 2011 Champions League at Wembley, before managing the UK football team for the 2012 London Olympics.
“We’ll see,” said the Scotsman. “I certainly support the idea of an Olympic team in principle, provided there is no danger at all to the individual identities of the smaller countries.”
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