Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary former manager of Manchester United, is renowned for his successful 26-year tenure at the club, during which he worked with numerous footballing legends. The task of selecting an all-time Manchester United XI is an arduous one, given the array of incredible talent that graced Old Trafford under his guidance. However, there is one player, in Ferguson’s view, who undoubtedly secures a spot in this illustrious lineup.
The Inimitable Selection Process:
When Ferguson announced his retirement in 2013, he was confronted with the challenging task of assembling his all-time Manchester United dream team. This task was daunting, as it meant choosing from a plethora of outstanding footballers. Names like Eric Cantona, Wayne Rooney, and Cristiano Ronaldo were just a few of the world-class talents he had at his disposal during his reign.
Speaking with the Sunday World at the time, Ferguson expressed the difficulty of such a selection, saying, “People ask you: ‘Who is your best Man United team?’ and it’s absolutely impossible.” With an array of striking talent throughout the years, Ferguson mentioned iconic names such as Brian McClair, Mark Hughes, and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The Unquestionable Choice:
Amidst the formidable array of choices, Ferguson was unequivocal about one player’s inclusion: Denis Irwin. According to Ferguson, Irwin was the one certainty to make the team. He described Irwin as “an eight out of 10” and recalled his extraordinary consistency during his time at the club.
Irwin, who made 468 appearances for Manchester United, was an instrumental figure in the team’s success. He was a part of the squad that clinched seven Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, two FA Cups, and a League Cup during his remarkable 12-year tenure at the club.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s journey at Manchester United was filled with numerous remarkable players, but in his eyes, Denis Irwin stood out as the one unquestionable choice for his all-time Manchester United XI.