Sir Alex Ferguson managed countless talents during his 26-year reign at Manchester United, but the legendary Scotsman shouted out three players in particular who may have gone under the radar
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Manchester United players celebrate winning the Premier League title
Sir Alex Ferguson managed an array of talent in his 26-year career at Manchester United
(Image: Shaun Botterill/Allsport/Hulton Archive/Getty Images.)
Sir Alex Ferguson revealed the three former Manchester United stars he believes are the most underrated stars he managed in his career.
The ex-Red Devils boss watched over hundreds of players during his almost three-decade-long tenure at Old Trafford, where he won a majority of his 49 club trophies - the most of any manager in the history of football. Among them, the Scotsman was unable to choose between three when asked by Gary Neville who the most underrated player he managed in his career was.
Ferguson told Sport Bible: "There's three players, I can't split them. Brian McClair, Park Ji-sung, and Ronny Johnsen." The 83-year-old paid special tribute to the South Korean legend when admitting the former midfielder should have played a starring role in securing the Champions League trophy in 2011.
"When I watch the final against Barcelona at Wembley, I should have changed at half-time and put Park Ji-sung on Messi," Ferguson told Neville. "That was a mistake.
"I realised after 10 minutes and I was going to do it at half-time but I said, 'we just equalised before half-time, they might see the game differently and we may grow into the game better'. We're actually quite good in the last 10 minutes of that game and we could have been in front.
"But if I had played Park Ji-sung against Messi, I think we would have beat them." All three remain cult heroes at Old Trafford, as we delve into their post-United career and what they've been up to since retirement.
Brian McClair
The former United striker spent 11 years playing under Ferguson, having joined his compatriot a year after his arrival in the dugout in 1986. The Scot featured 471 times for the club and scored 127 goals. McClair retired from football in 1999 after a brief stint with Motherwell and has since become an unrecognisable figure in his post-playing days.
While he cut a clean-shaven look for much of his footballing career, he went the opposite direction upon his retirement as he now sports a lengthy grey beard with similarly long grey locks. The 61-year-old - who hosts the Life With Brian podcast - admitted his new look often causes confusion with fans.
Bryan Robson, Clayton Blackmore, Mike Phelan, Gary Pallister, Lee Sharpe. Front, from left: Brian McClair, Mark Hughes, Denis Irwin, Paul Parker.
Brian McClair now sports a lengthy beard (Image: Lee Sharpe (@Sharpeyofficial))
"It happens an awful lot more than I ever imagined it would, particularly the fact I’m covered in this lovely grey stuff that’s growing out of my face. It’s entertaining listening. Sometimes I’ve been in situations where my name has cropped up and they’ve no idea it’s me, which is pretty bizarre.
"What I tend to say now when they ask if I’m Brian McClair is 'I used to be', which is quite flummoxing for a lot of people. 'How can you used to be? Who are you now? What are you now?'"
Ronny Johnsen
The ex-Norway international enjoyed a career filled with trophies in Manchester, winning three Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Champions League in his five seasons under Ferguson. A versatile player with the ability to play in defence and midfield, Johnsen was an integral squad member of the Red Devils squad.
Photo of Ronny Johnsen of Manchester United during a Legends game in 2022
Ronny Johnsen spent six years at Old Trafford (Image: Getty)
After leaving United in 2002, he enjoyed short stints at Aston Villa and Newcastle before retiring in 2008 following a three-year spell with Valerenga in his native Norway. Opting to do his coaching badges, the 55-year-old was appointed head coach of Eik Tonsberg, who play in the second tier of Norwegian football.
He spent just a year at the club and was appointed assistant coach of the Norwegian women’s under-23s in 2023. Aside from his coaching duties, Johnsen has ventured into media when working for Norwegian broadcaster TV2 as a pundit and analyst for United games.
Park Ji-sung
During his seven-year stint in Manchester, Park Ji-sung became the most decorated Asian player in history with four league titles, a Champions League trophy and four League Cups. The former South Korea international spent just two more seasons in the sport before retiring, turning out for Queens Park Rangers before returning to former club PSV Eindhoven for the 2013/14 season.
Gerard Pique, Carlos Tevez, Park Ji-sung, and Patrice Evra with the Premier League trophy
He was one of Sir Alex Ferguson's most trusted players during his time in Manchester
Like Johnsen, he opted to complete his coaching badges as he took charge of QPR's Under-16 side as part of his coaching B license. After departing the west London side, Park joined K League 1 side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors as their technical director in 2022.
His moves at the club included appointing ex-Chelsea star Dan Petrescu as manager, but the Romanian's time in charge didn't last as he resigned mid-season. Park then became an advisor at the club, who opted for another Chelsea alumni as Gus Poyet was announced as manager last year.