Sir Alex Ferguson has paid a warm tribute to the late Kevin Keegan, singling out three signings that transformed Newcastle United's side into the club's "best ever team".
Keegan, who died on July 20 aged 75, helped build Newcastle into an exciting and powerful side during his first spell in charge between 1992 and 1997, before later returning for an eighth-month stint in 2008.
His first spell helped thrust Newcastle into contention, as promotion in his first season was later followed up with a spellbinding title race with Ferguson's Manchester United in the 1995/96 season, falling just short.
The pair's rivalry helped define the early days of the Premier League, paving the way for the great battles we've seen over the years — and the Scotsman is just one of many to pay tribute, as he highlighted three transfers that changed the game for Keegan.
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Ferguson's Tribute to Keegan
Sir Alex Ferguson vs Kevin Keegan
Ferguson reminisced when speaking to Track Radio, via BBC, describing Newcastle's strength at their peak under Keegan as a formidable outfit.
"I had the utmost respect for him," Ferguson said. "We had many duels when he was manager of Newcastle, but I have to say the job he did at Newcastle was fantastic.
"He re-energised that club, and he brought that enthusiasm and fanaticism that great supporters can give. That's the job he did."
Keegan's attention then turned to the trio of players that helped Newcastle to develop a real edge, and one that turned them into contenders as one of the club's best-ever teams. Ferguson said:
He also brought three great players to the club – [David] Ginola, [Faustino] Asprilla, Philippe Albert – and added a bit of class to the team, and I must say the challenges we had with Newcastle at that time at United were huge.
"Kevin carried the love of the game on his sleeve, there's no question about that, and that carried right on to the fans, to the players. That period at Newcastle was of emotion, it was excitement.
"They brought these great players to the club too, and they added to it, and it gave Newcastle – I think – their best ever team."
The Impact Ginola, Asprilla and Albert Made for Newcastle
David Ginola
All three additions cost just over £11m, but each left a distinct mark. David Ginola, the biggest name of the three, arrived from Paris Saint-Germain in 1995 and was the central flair symbol of Keegan's "Entertainers" before he later joined Tottenham.
The first addition was actually Phillipe Albert, who signed from Anderlecht in a £2.6m deal and who became somewhat of a cult hero; his audacious chip over Peter Schmeichel in the famous 5-0 rout of Ferguson's United was his best moment.
Faustino Asprilla arrived in 1996 from Parma but was seen as a larger gamble given his £6.7m price tag, which was considered sizable at the time. The Colombian thrived at times, with a hat-trick against Barcelona being the highlight. All three brought something different to the table and all helped Newcastle to play with Keegan's identity, which made them one of the most exciting sides in England at that time.