Sir Alex Ferguson believes young players ‘should have a sacrifice’ if they want to become top players as he offered a detailed insight into the key traits he looked for in rising stars during his legendary Manchester United career.
The 82-year-old is an icon at Old Trafford after taking United from English strugglers to the top of European football during his illustrious 27-year reign at the club.
Ferguson is widely-regarded as the greatest-ever Premier League manager, turning United into 13-time English champions, winning the Champions League twice, five FA Cups and countless other major honours.
One key element of his legendary reign was Ferguson’s ability to turn young promising talents into world class players as he did with the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, and Cristiano Ronaldo amongst others.
The great Scot had to constantly transform United squads during his managerial tenure that eventually ended with retirement in 2013 and has been hailed for cultivating success without breaking the bank.
Now, Ferguson has given an extraordinary breakdown of how he got the best out of fledgling rising stars, most notably United’s famous ‘Class of 92’ that saw a young Scholes, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, Giggs, and David Beckham burst on the scene and later win the Treble.
Sir Alex Ferguson has given a fascinating insight into his legendary Manchester United reign
Ferguson helped transform the likes of Paul Scholes (left) into world class players during his tenure
Ferguson most notably transformed United’s famous ‘Class of 92’ (pictured) into serial winners
Revealing his view on how young players need to be guided carefully to avoid the pitfalls that come with establishing a career as a professional footballer, Ferguson said: ‘They should have a sacrifice. If they want to be a top footballer, it’s a privilege in many ways. A lot of these young players were lucky to be given opportunities that were presented to them, playing for a club like Manchester United.
‘Making them aware of that at a young age is a job you should really pay attention to, make sure they feel that responsibility.
‘I think there’s a human quality that some people are destined, with their own determination, and possibly their own upbringing, to have a certain path in life. I think your responsibility is to guide them in the same direction as I went myself.’
‘What I really enjoyed was coaching young kids. I enjoyed it and I believed in it. I had this strong belief that it was my path, and I took that everywhere I went, everywhere I went,’ he added.
Having previously guided Aberdeen to unthinkable European success before taking charge at United in 1986, Ferguson was tasked with changing the club’s fortunes and did so with youth at the heart of his strategy.
In stark contrast to the record-breaking sums the club have forked out since his retirement, the Scot instead preferred to largely use United’s youth system that has since become one of the world’s best.
Ferguson further went on to explain that some young players such as Beckham need more time to become a first-team player as opposed to Giggs and Scholes who went on to become United greats.
He continued: ‘Some are late developers, like Beckham. Beckham didn’t come into the youth team until he was about 18. When you get a gem like Giggs or Scholes, it’s staring you in the face.
Ferguson first spotted United legend Ryan Giggs (left) at the age of just 14-years-old
Ferguson admitted the likes of David Beckham (right) were ‘late developers’ during his time in charge
‘With Giggs, we had a steward at the club who came to me and said ‘there’s a young boy training with (Manchester) City, but he’s a United fan. You need to get hold of him.’ We got him down the training ground right away, did a practice match against Viv Anderson, and Viv was screaming ‘can I kick him? Can I tackle him’? And I said ‘don’t you dare touch him! He’s only 14!’
‘Paul Scholes was an incredibly young player. You get diamonds like that. The Neville’s – always hard working, always great sacrifice to be footballers. Nicky Butt – determined young lad, always going to make it.
‘You have a responsibility too, to give them the right guidance, to be strong in terms of the path you’re taking them through….play for Manchester United, play in front of 75,000, play in the Cup Final, play for your country – these are all the stepping stones you’re guiding them for,’ he added.
Chasing the Dream is available on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Football, and on demand from Sunday 24th November.
