Alex Ferguson on the four Manchester United players he considered “world-class” 

Sir Fergie the single reason why Liverpool fans walked alone for 26 years

You'd have one less Champions league title if it wasn't for Keane possessed like a demon to drag a win out of a hopeless situation in 1999 in Turin.

He said all his players were World Class. He just chose the best from the pool of many

why is everybody forgetting rooney, all time top scorer of the club

Sir Alex is arguably the greatest football manager. It's natural that the bar he would set would be incredibly high. But Schmeichel, Van de Sar, Stam, Vidic, Ferdinand, Keane, Beckham, Rooney, Nistelroy etc would be ranked world class by 99% of experts.

Reading the comments, im glad to see people constantly talking about Roy Keane. I thought i was only one of a few who cherished the leader, the fighter, the warrior and the greatest captain Man United ever had. When im feeling lazy or unmotivated I watch a Roy Keane highlights video and suddenly i feel like working hard to be the best at what i do. Truly inspirational. There's only one Keano. Keane did say in the Viera documentary that the best manager he ever played for was Brian Clough. So Sir Alex was never gonna forgive that. Extremely competitive people are like that. Im sure deep down they both appreciate each other highly.

Coming from an arsenal fan I have to say that Ruud Van Nistelrooy was 100% world class in his 5 short years he was at untied, they’ve never had a striker like him since or after

Keane was the driving force behind Man United's trophy cabinet. Absolutely world class.

Wayne Rooney was world class, and would've been world class in *any* outfield position on the pitch. He could've played anywhere, in any position and be top top level. There's not many players that have that quality to their game.

'World class' for Fergie means 'great players that didn't fall out with me'. Hence Keane, Stam, Rooney, Beckham, Van Nistelrooy don't get a look in. It's so transparent. (He's a legend all the same though)

I'd like to put Keane Schmeichel and Rooney on the list, but the manager has more insight than anyone else

When he mentioned world class, he was thinking in terms of magicians, game changers, players with sublime technical ability. There were others of course, warriors like Keane, Vidic, Robson, Ferdinand and Schmeical who provided the foundation for the showstoppers to shine.

Dennis Irwin always overlooked. Great fullback

Van Der Sar and Peter Schmeicel were two brilliant goalkeepers!

Keane sacrifised everything on the pitch he was the one who wanted the win the most every single match and to me that shows world class

Ruud was absolutely a world class finisher and center forward.

Keane was the Man. End of story.

As a Liverpool fan even I could name a few in the United squads that were world class that he missed off but the top one has to be Schmeichel. That guy was an amazing keeper. Of that era the only keeper that I can think of that could challenge him was Oliver Kahn so he has to be world class.

Not only one of the worlds greatest football managers, but no journalist ever got the better of him, quite the opposite! A proper bloke, with a single minded attitude to his role as manager. Well done Sir Alex Ferguson.

As much as I respect Fergie, I can't believe he left out Schmeichel of all people. During his time, he was regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of the '90s. Winning the European Cup with Denmark has got to make you world-class.

"It's my opinion" - what a way to answer the question.

That last bit "and I think I'm qualified" HAHA Perfect

Roy Keane was easily the greatest and most influential player Ferguson ever had and he knows that well. He devalued himself as a man and a manager to make settling scores more important than telling the truth.

He chose his favorite world class players. There was quite a few other world class players he managed, and he knows it.

alzheimers...hes completely forgotten about Djemba Djemba.

Keane, Schmeichel, Stam, Vidic, Van Nistelrooy...Rio. All world class. Ridiculous to leave Keane out cos they fell out...Van Nistelrooy was a goal machine...they fell out too...Stam...they fell out too mmmmmm

Sir Alex doesnt throw around world class like todays lot do, thats the right way

Keane by far was the greatest asset he ever had.

i think because denis irwin was a quiet lad in and around the dressing room..and he didnt shout too much on the pitch, that he is constantly over looked as being probably the best defender the premiership has seen...could play left or right back so effortlessly ,,,,the guy was just so confident and clever...could read the game so well..and his ability to cross a ball at speed was immense.,,i genuinely have never seen him play a poor game for united...and to top it off,,the model professional on and off the pitch..and a really nice guy for good measure...and..oh yeah,,,could leave keepers rooted to the spot with his dead ball specials......world class.!

This is when motions take over a man, when honestly is hidden , at least you can say i hated some of the players but they were world class, Keane was united , the backbone

he had so many world class players during his united managerial career, but of course u have to pick the best of the best..

Rooney was a world class player, he's one of United's all time greats, a legend among legends,

Cristiano Ronaldo best player of the History of Man United, any doubt? Just review the videos !!! Sir Alex Ferguson himself has said it many times, just like Anceloti and Zidane who said that Cristiano Ronaldo had been the best player they had ever trained ...

Roy Keane was one of the most complete midfielders of his generation and a truly world class player. Morons who know nothing about the game and ABU's will tell you he was just a thug who went around kicking people, but anyone who saw Roy in his prime, knows anything about football and is being objective, knows Roy was one of the greatest midfielders of his or any other generation. He was the heartbeat and playmaker in that United team as well as the first and sometimes last line of defense. These kids that base their assusmptions on 5 minute youtube videos, who were just old enough to see Scholes sitting deep and spraying long balls around toward the end of his career assume he was uniteds playmaker, but he wasn't in Keane's prime, Keane was, Scholesy played up behind the strikers. Keane didn't hit 40 yeard Hollywood passes that look good in youtube videos like Scholey did, he played short quick passes into feet (similar to what Carrick is being praised for now) and was always setting a pace that other teams just couldn't live with and he went out and performed week in week out for 10 years, unlike Gerrard, Lampard, Viera or any of the rest of them, who had quiet periods and that's why united wouldn't go more then a year or two without winning a league from the ninteies to the early 2000's. Whats more he did it internationally for Ireland surrounded by weaker players, dominating the likes of Davids, Seedorf and Rui Costa to name just a few, playing alongside players like Matt Holland and Mark Kinsella. As good as Scholesy, Giggsy and Cantona were, Roy Keane, Cristiano Ronaldo and big Pete are the only players during Fergies era who you could actually class as being the best players or in the top 3 in the world in their positions at certain time periods. Fergie is just being disengenious here

C’mon Fergie! You just chose your favorites! There was the Great Peter Schmeichel! Nemanja Vidic! Ruud Van Nistelrooy!! The legendary Roy Keane! You cannot complete the list without these guys I just mentioned.

Did he not remember his Goalkeepers? He had 2 of the greatest GK's ever in those teams.

lack of loyality what about Roy Keane dominated man united midfield for 15 years lack of respect

Is there a full version of this interview on RU-vid?

He mentioned players I always think of when I think of Manchester United. Eric Cantona was part of a special MU era which is ancient now but if you were watching then then you will never forget it. Cantona was there at the start of when things swung towards Manchester United for consecutive league winnings. Giggs and Scholes, simply two magicians who made special plays and always got the ball across to other players who scored. It's only Cristiano Ronaldo who I know less of. When Cris came I was paying less attention to MU, but for a long time when I wasn't looking MU were continuously winning the league with Alex ... He's entitled to his opinion but there are so many more players: Cole, Rooney, Beckham, Yorke ... Goals every week 😊Credits to Alex Ferguson, his expertise and vision made the whole thing work.

I respect that he has incredibly high standards. Way too many players are considered "world class" these days and I prefer a stricter list

Liverpool supporter, I have nothing but respect for Sir Alex.

Nistlerooy. Schmichael Ferdinand Vidic Stam Rooney to name but a few that were all world class.

What makes this man great is that he is so sure in what he believes that he wastes no time or energy on any other thought, legend

Beckham was worldclass come on, his freekicks and crosses were some of the best of all time

As an Arsenal fan how you couldn’t consider Ferdinand, vidic, schmiceal, keane, rooney, stam, van Der sar, van nistlerooy, Irwin all world class is insane

Fergie we will never question your grit but cause of Roy not being there a little harsh. But you r a living legend

From humble beginnings a great man emerged.

Vidic was just unplayable at times, best CB in the world for several years and certainly world class, same with Shmichael.

Tbh Keane and Beckham deserved to be mentioned in that list aswell.

World class doesn't only mean the abilities alone. Mentality, consistency, hard work and behavior towards the games and manager count.

When you describe 'world class players' you talk about longevity and consistency. Not just perform for a month of a year. But every day year in year out and those 4 world class players done it.

Ronaldo soon to get his 5th Ballon Dor. Thats what he meant as a final piece on the top of the xmas tree.

Everyone's concept of 'world class' differs, including managers and coaches. In my opinion, a world class player is specialised in their position, simple.

Schmeichel was a beast, one of the best goalkeepers of that time if not the best. Beckham was fantastic and underrated, Roy Keane... Cmon Fergie.

It’s hard to argue with sir Alex but I’d love to hear his definition of world class

Sir alex made average players look world class....those 4 were magic he never had to make too much efforts..thats d point

Denis Irwin was World Class in two positions!...He scored a Messi-like dribbled goal against Liverpool,and many top class goals.He scored Messi-like free kicks....he was a defender and did this!

Schmeichel, Van Nistelrooy, Van Persie, Vidic, Beckham, Keane, Veron, Irwin, Rio, Evra, Stam, Robson, Van Der Sar, they were all world class

I’d accept it if he’d said three, scholes, cantona and Ronaldo. They clearly stood out. But Giggs was mainly loyalty and longevity rather than real talent greater than his peers

Best player ever is Ronaldo. Agree with you Sir..

Scholes was the best. It was a pure magic.

Outrageous that Rooney wasn’t named, I’d be livid if I were him. He’s the all time top scorer for the club!

He spoke of the 4 he thought had the most impact aside from just being world class but most of u missed this key point

I miss sir Alex Ferguson

THE GREATEST MANAGER EVER,,ALWAYS INSPIRES ME.

Cr7 is my fave of all time, but I’m also glad he mentioned scholes

The great alex ferguson aka jock steins apprentice. Doesnt over do tatics or runs but uses his charisma to get that extra 10% out of his soldiers when its needed. Great man from the great city of Glasgow. 👏

Ronaldo, Scholes, Giggs, Keane, Schmeichel, Ferdinand, Beckham, Rooney were all world class among others. I think world class is to be the best in your position not just forward players like he said. All in all he had more than four world class players and it’s debatable whether Cantona was truly world class.

Fergie is 100% correct I see what he means cantona Giggs Ronaldo and scholes were brilliant consistent hard workers. The only ones to do so. the ones who have the ability to change a game that's world class

Rooney was world class! man scored the most goals in utd history and he had a beer belly for the second half of his career

There are people who should be eternal ♥️

Even Beckham for what he did with passing and dead balls

Cantona and Scholes were the greatest I ever saw. Keane was remarkable, truly remarkable, but it was more to do with temperament and leadership than skill.

If not for Ferguson there would be a Keane statue outside Old Traford because he was our best player in our most successful era ever.

I think that's crazy, he knows the players he has had and covered it with we win as a team rather than individuals. Clearly these are the players he genuinely thought dominated their positions. The list mentioned of who played though does make you wonder, particularly no defender mentioned

Van der Sar, Beckham, Vidic, Rio, RVN, Evra was a world class LB, Gary Neville was one of the best RBs around at the time.

I was never a United fan, but Schmeicel was definitely world-class

Keep it real fergie!! Always the team man, never an individual.

He let himself down by not including Keane. By omitting him he made it clear he was still sour from their falling out and it clouded his opinion

Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney were world class by any definition.

I get what Fergie means, but I wouldn’t call those 4 players world class. All these players, people in the comment section are mentioning, are world-class. Players like Keane, Vidic, Ferdinand, Van Nistelrooy etc. Those special 4 are just something else...they’re above world-class. They’re legends.

Ferguson left out Keane who was the outstanding player at the club for almost 13 years because they fell out at the end but what a legend Keane was. Unbelievable player and world class.

schmeichel, Ferdinand... possibly beckham. beckham was certainly a world-class passer / crosser of the ball. Best crosser I've ever seen by a mile, he made it a skill of its own.

Cantona in: 4 times champions, the only year MU didnt win it was when Eric was suspended... If he hadnt been suspended MU would have won 5 titles in a row. Who's got better results?

I think he meant in terms of talent, these were 4 of the best.

Peter Schmicheal was a world class Goal keeper and was outstanding through out his career. A lot of other players had their ups and downs based around being consistently world class but Fergie definitely missed Schmicheal on the list.

Can't believe he left out David May!

What Fergie wanted ton say is that there were four players that the team was built around, the team played the way they played, and then there were soldiers and gladiators led by Keane who went to battle alongside the four.

I'm a Liverpool fan. But first I'm a football fan and I have to say what Klopp said HE IS THE JOHN LENON OF FOOTBALL

I love this man.

Keane was the best in his position in the world for longer than Cantona was???? And Keane won so many more medals for United

You can argue all day about what makes a world class player but let me say this. If one of the greatest goalkeepers to have ever lived isn't world class then the whole thing is a joke. Peter Schmeichel, probably the best keeper of his generation. Roy Keane, the most consistent player the PL has ever had. I like Sir Alex but not to include these 2 as world class just makes his opinion look all wrong.

Sir please come back. Why don’t you do that? You belong here on the Football pitch. We miss You a lot sir. We not only Manchester United but the whole football world misses you. Please come back. We are waiting ❤️

Cantona, Giggs, Ronaldo, Scholes ... That does a disservice to Schmeichel, Keane, Beckham, Stam, Van Nistelrooy, Rooney.

Roy Keane got you everything Ferguson don’t ever forget that 💯

Rio, Vidic, Van Der Sar, Henrik Larsson, etc, etc. All world class.

Peter schmichael ? Wtf He saved more points that anyone else

Sir Alex seems to be one of the rare kind of british people who can look at the facts from a football experts perspective. And that's probably the reason why he was so successful with Manchester when the english national team used to fail horribly all the time.

IMO a world class player is one that would get into any team, any where in the world, and there is no doubt that Peter Schmeichel could've got into any team. He was THE best keeper I have ever seen. With out him UTD could not have played such an attacking and Cavalier style of football.

This comment section is hilarious. Like they were the ones with his experience and credibility haha. Take a step back from your keyboards, breath, realise that you are not a player or manager but just a fan who had his/her favorite. The Boss (Sir Alex) has Spoken. Quite rightly as he put it hes qualified to give that opinion.