Sir Alex Ferguson built a dynasty at Manchester United: they were the team to beat, and he learned the tricks of the Premier League inside out. He would have been aware of a certain Thierry Henry, but the striker was snubbed by Ferguson when he named the greatest player in Premier League history.
Across his 26-year reign over one of the world’s most illustrious clubs, Ferguson had the pleasure of managing some of the very best but also the displeasure of instructing his team on how to stop the very best, too. It was a job of many ups and downs.
Only Arsene Wenger, in the history of the division post-1992, has overseen as many matches as Ferguson did between 1986 and 2013 (810) – and, therefore, it wouldn’t be too outlandish to say he knows his stuff. But who, in the eyes of the footballing legend, is the Premier League’s greatest of all time?
Ferguson Named the Premier League’s Greatest Ever Player - Ronaldo and Rooney Snubbed
‘Nobody can boast the same sort of longevity and consistency’
As mentioned previously, Henry – widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in football history – was overlooked by the Govan-born legend. As were the likes of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alan Shearer, who still remains the Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer with 260 strikes.
Instead, Ferguson picked the crown jewel of the fabled Class of ’92, Ryan Giggs. His steady presence – primarily on the left flank – over many a year for the Red Devils was what made him so universally loved. And Ferguson, it seems, was his biggest fan.
“We have had a lot of top-class players in this league – and some have probably made more of an impact than Ryan [Giggs] – but nobody can boast the same sort of longevity and consistency,” Ferguson said back in 2009, per The Guardian.
“He was there when the league started, and he is still there now. I think you would have to say Ryan is the best.”
David Beckham was the superstar in the eyes of many; Paul Scholes was Ferguson’s hero in the middle of the park but Giggs, through thick and thin, was one of his most important players. His crowning moment came against Arsenal in 1999 – take the time to watch it below:
Giggs himself would probably be the first person to admit that his talent doesn’t eclipse that of Henry, Ronaldo and Rooney – but it’s what Ferguson touches on, his incredible longevity, that saw him become such a beloved figure among Old Trafford circles.
He made his professional debut for Manchester United back in 1991, the year before the Premier League’s inception. How many titles did he win, I hear you ask? Just the 13, which is two more than any other player in the league’s entire history.
A testament to his character, the once-blistering Welshman – one of football’s most decorated players of all time – reverted to being a central midfielder. No longer mobile enough to play out on the wing, the celebrated Carrington graduate was equally influential further back.