In case you missed it, or have just arrived back to Earth from Mars, Alex Ferguson caused a bit of a fuss the past week.
The former Manchester United manager claimed in his new book that during his 26 years in charge at the club, he only ever managed four truly world class players: Ryan Giggs, Eric Cantona, Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“They made the difference and the evidence is there,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson’s decision to omit both Peter Schmeichel and Roy Keane from the list didn’t go down well with some football fans, as many believed the pair had as much claim to the title world class as Fergie’s chosen quartet.
It appears Ferguson’s own criteria for the what makes a player world class has changed since 2002. Twitter user Mark O’Toole tweeted a Goldman Sachs preview of the 2002 World Cup, and it features Alex Ferguson selecting his all-time dream teams.
The second of which, from 1974 onwards, has Schmeichel starting in goal, and Keane in midfield.
“There is no more influential player in the World today in any team than Roy Keane,” Ferguson wrote about the then Manchester United captain. “His passing accuracy is always 90% plus in every game, he has marvellous engine and is a great competitor”.
While, according to 2002 Ferguson “…at his peak Schmeichel was incredible; A massive frame, a real winner, brave, quick he had it all.”
The rest of Ferguson’s dream team features some the best footballers to have ever played the game. Brazilian full-backs Cafu and Roberto Carlos are selected alongside Fernando Hierro, Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Daniel Passerella and Berti Vogts.
In midfield, alongside Keane, Ferguson chose Michel Platini, Ruud Krol, Zinedine Zidane, Zico and Falcao. No, not that Falcao, but the midfielder from Brazil’s 1982 World Cup team.
And up front, Ferguson opted for Marco van Basten and Diego Maradona.
Despite being able to pick any footballer to have played the game past 1974, there’s no sign of Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs or Paul Scholes.
If Ferguson really didn’t think Keane or Schmeichel were world class, why did he choose them alongside some of the greatest players ever?
It seems to us that there wouldn’t be room for players who weren’t world class in this team.
