Sir Alex Ferguson Named the 3 'Most Gifted' Players He Ever Managed at Man Utd

· GiveMeSport

Sir Alex Ferguson picked out the three most gifted footballers he had at Man Utd... but there's one clear winner.

Sir Alex Ferguson spearheaded the most successful period in Manchester United's history, producing and signing many world-class players throughout his 27 years at the club.

Many of his long-term squad members are fondly remembered among the Red Devils' greatest-ever footballers. Not only that, but some are even considered among the all-time greats of the sport.

Cristiano Ronaldo, for example, is in the GOAT discussion with the likes of Lionel Messi, Pele and Diego Maradona. None of that would be possible without his exceptional six-year spell under Fergie.

Ronaldo grew from being an exciting teenager who arrived from Sporting CP with all the potential in the world, to one of the greatest and most deadly forwards on the planet.

His Ballon d'Or triumph in 2008 cemented his place among the elite footballers of his generation, and he went on to achieve great things, even after leaving Old Trafford. With three Premier League titles and five Champions League trophies in his cabinet, he's one of the most decorated players of all time.

Ferguson, who had an incredible eye for talent, noticed that Ronaldo was special very early on. Even in his 2014 book, one year after retiring, the Scottish boss picked out CR7 as his 'most gifted' player ever (per MEN).

He wrote: "Cristiano Ronaldo was the most gifted player I managed. He surpassed all the other great ones I coached at United. And I had many."

But the Portuguese icon isn't the only player Ferguson praised as extremely gifted with the ball at his feet. In fact, he named two British legends as the closest contenders to the 'most gifted' throne.

> The only ones who could be placed near him would be a couple of the home-produced players, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, because they contributed so prodigiously to Manchester United for two decades.

Giggs had phenomenal longevity at England's biggest club. The Welsh winger was present for all 13 of the Premier League titles Ferguson claimed at Man Utd.

He transformed from a flying winger with electric pace to a controller from the middle of the park, showing his versatility and understanding of the game. Scholes, meanwhile, started as an attacking midfielder before dropping into being the metronome of the side.

The England international even retired in 2011 and was still the best midfielder in the top flight when he returned a year later for Ferguson's final season. His passing was elite, as was his intelligence and reading of the game.

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