Fergie won it all at United during his glittering managerial career, claiming 13 top-flight titles, five FA Cups and three Champions League trophies.
He’ll forever be remembered as one of the greatest to ever grace the English game and has, of course, managed some of the greatest players too.
But what is his best ever Manchester United XI? This team would certainly take some beating…
GK – Peter Schmeichel
398 appearances and 1 goal – 15 trophies – 5 Premier League, 3 FA Cups, 1 League Cup, 4 Community Shield, 1 Champions League and 1 UEFA Super Cup
Imposing, confident and athletic, Schmeichel is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.
The Dane won it all at Old Trafford and even has a goal to his name from his time in a Red Devils shirt.
RB – Gary Neville
602 appearances and 7 goals – 20 trophies – 8 Premier League, 3 FA Cups, 3 League Cups, 3 Community Shield, 2 Champions Leagues, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup
In United’s top five appearance makers, Neville was a one club man during his brilliant career.
The full-back is part of the legendary ‘Class of 92’ and has an incredible trophy cabinet.
Man United broke the transfer record for a defender to sign Rio Ferdinand
CB – Rio Ferdinand
455 appearances and 8 goals – 14 trophies – 6 Premier League, 3 League Cups, 4 Community Shield, Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup
Ferdinand was one of Sir Alex’s key big-money deals in the early 2000s and certainly justified his big price-tag.
He and Nemanja Vidic formed one of the Premier League’s most fearsome centre-back duos.
CB – Gary Pallister
317 appearances and 12 goals – 15 trophies – 4 Premier League, 3 FA Cups, League Cup, 5 Community Shield, European Cup Winners’ Cup and European Super Cup
Pallister and Steve Bruce were brilliant at the back for United throughout the 1990s.
The defender was named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year for the 1991/92 season.
Gary Neville and Denis Irwin were vital to United’s success at the turn of the millenium
LB – Denis Irwin
529 appearances and 33 goals – 19 trophies – 7 Premier League, 3 FA Cups, League Cup, 4 Community Shield, Champions League, European Cup Winners Cup, European Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup
An expert at free kicks and penalties, Irwin was a goalscoring defender before it was popular.
The Irishman is widely regarded as one of Sir Alex’s greatest ever signings.
RW – Cristiano Ronaldo
APPEARANCES: 346 – TOTAL GOALS: 145
Cristiano Ronaldo exhausted all superlatives during his first spell with Manchester United, while he matured from an inexperienced, young winger in 2003 into officially the best footballer on the planet in 2009.
CM – Roy Keane
480 appearances and 51 goals – 17 trophies – 7 Premier League, 4 FA Cups, 4 Community Shield, Champions League and Intercontinental Cup
Keane was the epitome of a hard-working, determined and never-say-die player.
His rivalry with Arsenal’s Patrick Vieira is legendary and they don’t really make them like Keano anymore.
CM – Paul Scholes
718 appearances and 155 goals – 25 trophies – 11 Premier League, 3 FA Cups, 2 League Cups, 5 Community Shield, 2 Champions League, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup
Arguably the greatest midfielder England has ever seen, Scholes was another one-club man to come from the ‘Class of 92’.
Technically superb, his accurate passing, intelligence and power thriller Old Trafford fans for years.
LW – Ryan Giggs
963 appearances and 168 goals – 35 trophies – 13 Premier League, 4 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 9 Community Shield, 2 Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup
Giggs is United’s long-time leading appearance maker and won a shed-load of silverware during his lengthy Old Trafford stint.
A skilful and dynamic left-footed midfielder, the Welshman was another ‘Class of 92’ graduate to do great things at the club.
Scholes, Neville and Giggs all came through the United academy
CF – Eric Cantona
185 appearances and 82 goals – 9 trophies – 5 Premier League, 2 FA Cup, 3 Community Shield.
It wasn’t all kung-fu kicks and seagulls, you know…
As unpredictable on the pitch with the ball at his feet as he was off it, Cantona is not only remembered as one of the Premier League’s most talented players and scorer of great goals, but a goal provider too.
He was a key player for Fergie during his successful, although short, spell at the club, spending just four years as a United player before announcing his surprise retirement from the game at 30 years old.
CF – Wayne Rooney
559 appearances and 253 goals – 13 trophies (all under Ferguson) – 5 Premier League, 3 League cups, 3 Community Shield, Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup
Rooney overtook Bobby Charlton to become United’s all-time leading goalscorer.
‘The Wonder Boy’ become an icon while at Old Trafford, winning everything there was to win.
Rooney is Man United’s all-time leading goalscorer
