From British superstars Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes to international greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Eric Cantona, former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson coached some of the finest players in football history during his highly decorated 27-year stint at Old Trafford.
Arguably the greatest manager of all time, Ferguson was synonymous with success – he remains the most decorated tactician in Premier League history, winning 13 titles and amassing an astonishing 38 major trophies during his time in Manchester.
Having worked with a plethora of world-class stars, Ferguson once named a former Man United forward as ‘the greatest British player of all time’ – a player he never had the opportunity to coach, but whose natural ability, flair and impact on the game left a defining mark on the club’s history.
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Sir Alex Ferguson Praises George Best
‘He was such a fantastic footballer’
Manchester United's George Best smiling.
Ferguson, as quoted by the Mirror, once described former Man United forward George Best as ‘the greatest British player of all time’ and praised him as a ‘fantastic’ footballer:
“He was such a fantastic footballer. I think everyone at Manchester United looks upon George as one of the best players of all time. And I think that's the way we should remember him.
“In football terms, within this club, and the history of English football, then I would have to say that there has been no better British player.
“When you talk in world terms, the problem with Bestie is that he never played in a World Cup Final or World Cup semi-final.
“Players in that situation are denied the chance of being assessed among the greatest players in the world. Nonetheless, George is up there in the pantheon of great players.”
Best, who is widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted footballers ever, joined Man United as a teenager in 1958 and was central to the Red Devils’ dominance in the 1960s.
The Northern Irish forward made 470 appearances for the club, scoring 179 goals and providing 61 assists, and helped United win two First Division titles and the European Cup in 1968.
He also won the Ballon d’Or that year and remains the only Northern Irish footballer to claim the prestigious golden ball.
Best spent the first 11 years of his professional career at Old Trafford before departing in 1974 and embarking on a journey that would take him to as many as 14 different clubs across England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, China and the United States.
On the pitch, the one-time Ballon d’Or winner was known for his breathtaking talent, extraordinary dribbling and the ability to change games single-handedly. He received widespread praise for his technical brilliance, including from Brazilian icon Pele, who once named Best as one of his favourite players of all time.
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Statistics courtesy ofTransfermarkt. Correct as of 04 -07-25.