Sir Alex Ferguson once admitted an “unbelievable” Manchester United legend would make his all-time XI, despite claiming it would be “absolutely impossible” to name his best team.
The 81-year-old Scotsman’s illustrious reign at Old Trafford came to an end in 2013, with United still struggling to fill the void left behind by Ferguson.
During his incredible 26 years in charge at United, Ferguson led the Red Devils to 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies and five FA Cups.
United fans also enjoyed the incredible world-class talent that Ferguson managed at the club, ranging from the likes of Eric Cantona to Cristiano Ronaldo to Paul Scholes.
Ferguson himself admitted that he had a star-studded selection of talented United players to choose from in almost any position during his time at Old Trafford.
However, the legendary former United manager once opened up on one “unbelievable” club hero who impressed him during his long run at the Premier League club.
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Ferguson on United hero Denis Irwin
During an event in Glasgow in 2013, Ferguson was promoting his autobiography at the time and opened up on former United full-back Denis Irwin.
Ferguson insisted that Irwin would be the “one certainty” to make his all-time United XI, with the ex-Red Devils boss saying that he “called him an eight out of 10.”
Speaking at the event, he said (via Bleacher Report): “People ask you who is your best Man United team. It is absolutely impossible.
“You look at the strikers I had, going back to [Brian] McClair, [Mark] Hughes, [Andy] Cole, [Eric] Cantona, [Ruud] van Nistelrooy, [Louis] Saha, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, [Dwight] Yorke, Teddy Sheringham.
“Then to the present players, Wayne Rooney, [Robin] van Persie, Chicharito [Javier Hernandez]. How do you pick out of that? Cantona and somebody else?
“The midfield was probably a bit easier because you have [Roy] Keane, [Bryan] Robson and [Paul] Scholes, they were fantastic players and [David] Beckham, [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Ryan] Giggs.
“But honestly, I would say Denis Irwin would be the one certainty to get in the team. I called him an eight out of 10.
“At Highbury in one game, he had a bad pass back in the last minute and [Dennis] Bergkamp came in and scored.
“After the game, the press said, ‘You must be disappointed in that pass back.’ I said, ‘Well, one mistake in 10 years isn’t bad.’ He was an unbelievable player.”
Irwin was simply sensational for United
It’s hardly surprising that Irwin is the legend that Ferguson went for in 2013 ahead of the star-studded names like Cantona or Ronaldo.
Irwin is widely regarded as United’s best left-back of all time, not to mention one of the best full-backs the Premier League has ever seen.
The 57-year-old Irishman arrived at Old Trafford in 1990 for a fee of £650,000 from Oldham Athletic, with Irwin excelling in the left-back role under Ferguson.
During his illustrious playing career at United, Irwin lifted seven Premier League titles, a Champions League, two FA Cups and a League Cup.
Revered for his defensive attributes, Irwin was the complete full-back option for Ferguson and added additional threat from free-kicks and penalties.
Irwin left United in 2002 and went on to play for Wolves before he retired, but the former Republic of Ireland international made a lasting impact at Old Trafford.
If it isn’t Ferguson singing his praises, then ask United legend Roy Keane for his honest thoughts on his fellow countryman (spoiler: he thinks Irwin was immense).