Former Tottenham and England striker Jermain Defoe has revealed that one Manchester United legend under Sir Alex Ferguson had a major impact on him.
Sir Alex Ferguson was never short of a roster of star-studded Manchester United strikers during his legendary 26-year reign at Old Trafford.
The 83-year-old legendary former United manager brought a whole host of strikers to the Red Devils, including Wayne Rooney, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole.
Ferguson’s remarkable spell at Old Trafford as Red Devils manager came to an end in 2013 after United lifted their last Premier League title.
Former Arsenal and United striker Robin van Persie played a key role in firing the Red Devils to the Premier League trophy in the 2012-13 campaign under Ferguson.
Ferguson, who is regarded as one of the best managers of all time, had a major silverware haul that included two Champions Leagues and 13 Premier League titles.
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Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
What Jermain Defoe saw in Ruud van Nistelrooy after Sir Alex Ferguson signed the Man Utd legend
Speaking to talkSPORT, Jermain Defoe was asked to compare himself when he was a striker to other players who have played in the Premier League.
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The 42-year-old ex-England international ranked himself ahead of the likes of former Manchester United strikers Robin van Persie and Michael Owen.
When Ruud van Nistelrooy’s name came up, Defoe put the United legend ahead of him and waxed lyrical about the Dutchman’s ability in the final third.
Ruud van Nistelrooy initially intended to sign for the Red Devils in 2000 before a failed medical test scuppered his move to Old Trafford.
However, Sir Alex Ferguson finally landed the prolific Dutch former striker from PSV Eindhoven in 2001 for a British-record transfer fee at the time of £19m.
Van Nistelrooy had a sensational impact in England and the 48-year-old former United star is widely regarded as one of the best Premier League strikers of all time.
“Nah, Ruud, man,” Defoe said after putting the United legend ahead of himself.
“Do you know Ruud van Nistelrooy, I love that guy. When I was at West Ham and he come to Man United and that, I always used to watch his movement in the box.
“Like, I’d watch him and be like, ‘Nah, this guy is… pfft… he is serious.’”
READ MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson predicted two Man Utd legends to ascend to ‘world-class’ status, one was ‘cleverest’ he ever saw
Man Utd legend Ruud van Nistelrooy faces an uphill battle in the Premier League with Leicester City
Ruud van Nistelrooy spent five seasons at Old Trafford and the former Netherlands striker lifted a Premier League, an FA Cup and a League Cup with United as a player.
The former Real Madrid and PSV Eindhoven player returned to the Red Devils last summer after he became United assistant manager under Erik ten Hag.
However, Erik ten Hag was sacked last October and Van Nistelrooy took over as interim United manager ahead of Ruben Amorim’s arrival from Sporting CP.
Following Van Nistelrooy’s four-match spell as United interim boss, the former PSV manager returned to the dugout as Leicester City head coach last November.
The Leicester City manager has faced a real challenge at the King Power and the Foxes are 19th in the Premier League and winless in their last five matches.