Sir Fergie the single reason why Liverpool fans walked alone for 26 years

You'd have one less Champions league title if it wasn't for Keane possessed like a demon to drag a win out of a hopeless situation in 1999 in Turin.

He said all his players were World Class. He just chose the best from the pool of many

Coming from an arsenal fan I have to say that Ruud Van Nistelrooy was 100% world class in his 5 short years he was at untied, they’ve never had a striker like him since or after

Sir Alex is arguably the greatest football manager. It's natural that the bar he would set would be incredibly high. But Schmeichel, Van de Sar, Stam, Vidic, Ferdinand, Keane, Beckham, Rooney, Nistelroy etc would be ranked world class by 99% of experts.

why is everybody forgetting rooney, all time top scorer of the club

Keane was the driving force behind Man United's trophy cabinet. Absolutely world class.

Wayne Rooney was world class, and would've been world class in *any* outfield position on the pitch. He could've played anywhere, in any position and be top top level. There's not many players that have that quality to their game.

Reading the comments, im glad to see people constantly talking about Roy Keane. I thought i was only one of a few who cherished the leader, the fighter, the warrior and the greatest captain Man United ever had. When im feeling lazy or unmotivated I watch a Roy Keane highlights video and suddenly i feel like working hard to be the best at what i do. Truly inspirational. There's only one Keano. Keane did say in the Viera documentary that the best manager he ever played for was Brian Clough. So Sir Alex was never gonna forgive that. Extremely competitive people are like that. Im sure deep down they both appreciate each other highly.

When he mentioned world class, he was thinking in terms of magicians, game changers, players with sublime technical ability. There were others of course, warriors like Keane, Vidic, Robson, Ferdinand and Schmeical who provided the foundation for the showstoppers to shine.

I'd like to put Keane Schmeichel and Rooney on the list, but the manager has more insight than anyone else

'World class' for Fergie means 'great players that didn't fall out with me'. Hence Keane, Stam, Rooney, Beckham, Van Nistelrooy don't get a look in. It's so transparent. (He's a legend all the same though)

Keane was the Man. End of story.

alzheimers...hes completely forgotten about Djemba Djemba.

Not only one of the worlds greatest football managers, but no journalist ever got the better of him, quite the opposite! A proper bloke, with a single minded attitude to his role as manager. Well done Sir Alex Ferguson.

Keane sacrifised everything on the pitch he was the one who wanted the win the most every single match and to me that shows world class

Van Der Sar and Peter Schmeicel were two brilliant goalkeepers!

Keane, Schmeichel, Stam, Vidic, Van Nistelrooy...Rio. All world class. Ridiculous to leave Keane out cos they fell out...Van Nistelrooy was a goal machine...they fell out too...Stam...they fell out too mmmmmm

As much as I respect Fergie, I can't believe he left out Schmeichel of all people. During his time, he was regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of the '90s. Winning the European Cup with Denmark has got to make you world-class.

Ruud was absolutely a world class finisher and center forward.

Dennis Irwin always overlooked. Great fullback

That last bit "and I think I'm qualified" HAHA Perfect

He chose his favorite world class players. There was quite a few other world class players he managed, and he knows it.

As a Liverpool fan even I could name a few in the United squads that were world class that he missed off but the top one has to be Schmeichel. That guy was an amazing keeper. Of that era the only keeper that I can think of that could challenge him was Oliver Kahn so he has to be world class.

"It's my opinion" - what a way to answer the question.

Cristiano Ronaldo best player of the History of Man United, any doubt? Just review the videos !!! Sir Alex Ferguson himself has said it many times, just like Anceloti and Zidane who said that Cristiano Ronaldo had been the best player they had ever trained ...

Rooney was a world class player, he's one of United's all time greats, a legend among legends,

Roy Keane was easily the greatest and most influential player Ferguson ever had and he knows that well. He devalued himself as a man and a manager to make settling scores more important than telling the truth.

i think because denis irwin was a quiet lad in and around the dressing room..and he didnt shout too much on the pitch, that he is constantly over looked as being probably the best defender the premiership has seen...could play left or right back so effortlessly ,,,,the guy was just so confident and clever...could read the game so well..and his ability to cross a ball at speed was immense.,,i genuinely have never seen him play a poor game for united...and to top it off,,the model professional on and off the pitch..and a really nice guy for good measure...and..oh yeah,,,could leave keepers rooted to the spot with his dead ball specials......world class.!

This is when motions take over a man, when honestly is hidden , at least you can say i hated some of the players but they were world class, Keane was united , the backbone

he had so many world class players during his united managerial career, but of course u have to pick the best of the best..

I respect that he has incredibly high standards. Way too many players are considered "world class" these days and I prefer a stricter list

lack of loyality what about Roy Keane dominated man united midfield for 15 years lack of respect

Keane by far was the greatest asset he ever had.

Sir Alex doesnt throw around world class like todays lot do, thats the right way

Roy Keane was one of the most complete midfielders of his generation and a truly world class player. Morons who know nothing about the game and ABU's will tell you he was just a thug who went around kicking people, but anyone who saw Roy in his prime, knows anything about football and is being objective, knows Roy was one of the greatest midfielders of his or any other generation. He was the heartbeat and playmaker in that United team as well as the first and sometimes last line of defense. These kids that base their assusmptions on 5 minute youtube videos, who were just old enough to see Scholes sitting deep and spraying long balls around toward the end of his career assume he was uniteds playmaker, but he wasn't in Keane's prime, Keane was, Scholesy played up behind the strikers. Keane didn't hit 40 yeard Hollywood passes that look good in youtube videos like Scholey did, he played short quick passes into feet (similar to what Carrick is being praised for now) and was always setting a pace that other teams just couldn't live with and he went out and performed week in week out for 10 years, unlike Gerrard, Lampard, Viera or any of the rest of them, who had quiet periods and that's why united wouldn't go more then a year or two without winning a league from the ninteies to the early 2000's. Whats more he did it internationally for Ireland surrounded by weaker players, dominating the likes of Davids, Seedorf and Rui Costa to name just a few, playing alongside players like Matt Holland and Mark Kinsella. As good as Scholesy, Giggsy and Cantona were, Roy Keane, Cristiano Ronaldo and big Pete are the only players during Fergies era who you could actually class as being the best players or in the top 3 in the world in their positions at certain time periods. Fergie is just being disengenious here

As an Arsenal fan how you couldn’t consider Ferdinand, vidic, schmiceal, keane, rooney, stam, van Der sar, van nistlerooy, Irwin all world class is insane

He mentioned players I always think of when I think of Manchester United. Eric Cantona was part of a special MU era which is ancient now but if you were watching then then you will never forget it. Cantona was there at the start of when things swung towards Manchester United for consecutive league winnings. Giggs and Scholes, simply two magicians who made special plays and always got the ball across to other players who scored. It's only Cristiano Ronaldo who I know less of. When Cris came I was paying less attention to MU, but for a long time when I wasn't looking MU were continuously winning the league with Alex ... He's entitled to his opinion but there are so many more players: Cole, Rooney, Beckham, Yorke ... Goals every week 😊Credits to Alex Ferguson, his expertise and vision made the whole thing work.

Is there a full version of this interview on KZfaq?

When you describe 'world class players' you talk about longevity and consistency. Not just perform for a month of a year. But every day year in year out and those 4 world class players done it.

Scholes was the best. It was a pure magic.

From humble beginnings a great man emerged.

I think that's crazy, he knows the players he has had and covered it with we win as a team rather than individuals. Clearly these are the players he genuinely thought dominated their positions. The list mentioned of who played though does make you wonder, particularly no defender mentioned

C’mon Fergie! You just chose your favorites! There was the Great Peter Schmeichel! Nemanja Vidic! Ruud Van Nistelrooy!! The legendary Roy Keane! You cannot complete the list without these guys I just mentioned.

Did he not remember his Goalkeepers? He had 2 of the greatest GK's ever in those teams.

Fergie we will never question your grit but cause of Roy not being there a little harsh. But you r a living legend

Nistlerooy. Schmichael Ferdinand Vidic Stam Rooney to name but a few that were all world class.

Fergie is 100% correct I see what he means cantona Giggs Ronaldo and scholes were brilliant consistent hard workers. The only ones to do so. the ones who have the ability to change a game that's world class

What makes this man great is that he is so sure in what he believes that he wastes no time or energy on any other thought, legend

It’s hard to argue with sir Alex but I’d love to hear his definition of world class

I was never a United fan, but Schmeicel was definitely world-class

Denis Irwin was World Class in two positions!...He scored a Messi-like dribbled goal against Liverpool,and many top class goals.He scored Messi-like free kicks....he was a defender and did this!

Everyone's concept of 'world class' differs, including managers and coaches. In my opinion, a world class player is specialised in their position, simple.

Sir Alex seems to be one of the rare kind of british people who can look at the facts from a football experts perspective. And that's probably the reason why he was so successful with Manchester when the english national team used to fail horribly all the time.

i'd love to know his honest favorite 11 and sub bench, and i'm a liverpool fan

Peter Schmicheal was a world class Goal keeper and was outstanding through out his career. A lot of other players had their ups and downs based around being consistently world class but Fergie definitely missed Schmicheal on the list.

Best player ever is Ronaldo. Agree with you Sir..

I’d accept it if he’d said three, scholes, cantona and Ronaldo. They clearly stood out. But Giggs was mainly loyalty and longevity rather than real talent greater than his peers

Cr7 is my fave of all time, but I’m also glad he mentioned scholes

Ronaldo soon to get his 5th Ballon Dor. Thats what he meant as a final piece on the top of the xmas tree.

Vidic was just unplayable at times, best CB in the world for several years and certainly world class, same with Shmichael.

Liverpool supporter, I have nothing but respect for Sir Alex.

Beckham was worldclass come on, his freekicks and crosses were some of the best of all time

Sir alex made average players look world class....those 4 were magic he never had to make too much efforts..thats d point

THE GREATEST MANAGER EVER,,ALWAYS INSPIRES ME.

World class doesn't only mean the abilities alone. Mentality, consistency, hard work and behavior towards the games and manager count.

Keep it real fergie!! Always the team man, never an individual.

Schmeichel, Van Nistelrooy, Van Persie, Vidic, Beckham, Keane, Veron, Irwin, Rio, Evra, Stam, Robson, Van Der Sar, they were all world class

Schmeichel was a beast, one of the best goalkeepers of that time if not the best. Beckham was fantastic and underrated, Roy Keane... Cmon Fergie.

Tbh Keane and Beckham deserved to be mentioned in that list aswell.

He spoke of the 4 he thought had the most impact aside from just being world class but most of u missed this key point

Ronaldo, Scholes, Giggs, Keane, Schmeichel, Ferdinand, Beckham, Rooney were all world class among others. I think world class is to be the best in your position not just forward players like he said. All in all he had more than four world class players and it’s debatable whether Cantona was truly world class.

I miss sir Alex Ferguson

There are people who should be eternal ♥️

If not for Ferguson there would be a Keane statue outside Old Traford because he was our best player in our most successful era ever.

I think he meant in terms of talent, these were 4 of the best.

You can argue all day about what makes a world class player but let me say this. If one of the greatest goalkeepers to have ever lived isn't world class then the whole thing is a joke. Peter Schmeichel, probably the best keeper of his generation. Roy Keane, the most consistent player the PL has ever had. I like Sir Alex but not to include these 2 as world class just makes his opinion look all wrong.

It's fair to say that those were his 4 best players, but to say that they were his only 4 world-class players is pretty ridiculous

Tottenham fan, but loved Fergie, class, scary legend etc, simply the best and the last traditional manager who knew his Footie!

I love this man.

Cantona in: 4 times champions, the only year MU didnt win it was when Eric was suspended... If he hadnt been suspended MU would have won 5 titles in a row. Who's got better results?

schmeichel, Ferdinand... possibly beckham. beckham was certainly a world-class passer / crosser of the ball. Best crosser I've ever seen by a mile, he made it a skill of its own.

What Fergie wanted ton say is that there were four players that the team was built around, the team played the way they played, and then there were soldiers and gladiators led by Keane who went to battle alongside the four.

I'm a Liverpool fan. But first I'm a football fan and I have to say what Klopp said HE IS THE JOHN LENON OF FOOTBALL

Have great respect for Saf but he wouldn't have won what he won without Roy Keane and to not acknowledge that made me lose respect for him still got mad respect for fergie though best manager ever imo 👏👏👏👏👏👏

Outrageous that Rooney wasn’t named, I’d be livid if I were him. He’s the all time top scorer for the club!

IMO a world class player is one that would get into any team, any where in the world, and there is no doubt that Peter Schmeichel could've got into any team. He was THE best keeper I have ever seen. With out him UTD could not have played such an attacking and Cavalier style of football.

Can't believe he left out David May!

Rooney was world class! man scored the most goals in utd history and he had a beer belly for the second half of his career

Ferguson left out Keane who was the outstanding player at the club for almost 13 years because they fell out at the end but what a legend Keane was. Unbelievable player and world class.

McGrath, Robson, Schmeichel, VDS, G Neville, Ferdinand, Stam, Irwin, Evra, Scholes, Keane, Ronaldo, Cantona, RVN, Larsson. Imo all were world class for a period in their careers. And YES there are others who you could argue whether they were or not but these 15 were all definitely world class at some period within their careers!!!

As others have said, the glaring omission of Keane, RVN & Schmeichel is criminal. As much as his philosophy is that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, without those three parts, his and Manchester's status would not be where it was during his reign. These three were playing at the highest level, against the best and got consistent, dizzying results. They were also gifted players regardless of their team. The only logical conclusion I can come up with is that they must have been world class. I would half-ear RVN being dropped, but to omit Keane and Schmeichel has got to be bad blood.

Cantona and Scholes were the greatest I ever saw. Keane was remarkable, truly remarkable, but it was more to do with temperament and leadership than skill.

He let himself down by not including Keane. By omitting him he made it clear he was still sour from their falling out and it clouded his opinion

Keane was the best in his position in the world for longer than Cantona was???? And Keane won so many more medals for United

Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney were world class by any definition.

I think it's more about having a dig at the players he left out of the list ie the ones he fell out with personally - Keane, Schmeicel, Rooney, RVN, Stam etc.

I get what Fergie means, but I wouldn’t call those 4 players world class. All these players, people in the comment section are mentioning, are world-class. Players like Keane, Vidic, Ferdinand, Van Nistelrooy etc. Those special 4 are just something else...they’re above world-class. They’re legends.

Van der Sar, Beckham, Vidic, Rio, RVN, Evra was a world class LB, Gary Neville was one of the best RBs around at the time.

Rio, Vidic, Van Der Sar, Henrik Larsson, etc, etc. All world class.