From the home front to the global game, we find out who gave Sir Alex and his players the rush...
Sir Alex on Denis Law
Denis Law was my hero as a player. I idolised him. When I first met him I was so excited. It was at a game in Paris, he had played in the first half and we went for a cup of tea afterwards. I thought, ‘This is it, I’ve made it, I’m having a cup of tea with Denis Law!’ He epitomised to me what a Scotsman is. He was daring and courageous, he had that bravado about him and he had style. He was a truly fantastic footballer.
Gary Neville on Bryan Robson
I always thought he was everything that a United player should be, and still do. Even when I watch footage of him in action now I always think of him giving everything for the cause at the defensive end of the pitch and then throwing everything at the ball to get it in the back of the net at the other end. Roy Keane was very similar in that sense and I’m sure that if I’d have been a kid growing up at school watching when Roy was playing he’d have been my hero. For me, those two players are just everything I think a Manchester United player should be. Blood, guts and thunder with real class as well. Don’t get me wrong you’ve got the skilful players like Giggsy, Scholes, Cantona and all those, but for me growing up it was always the Bryan Robson-type player that I loved.
Rafael on Roberto Carlos
It has to be Roberto Carlos. He won three World Cups and did very well in Europe even though he was very small. Sometimes, coming from Brazil, players don’t succeed in Europe, but he was successful for a long, long time. My favourite goal that he scored was for Real Madrid, the shot that he hit from the corner flag that flew into the top corner. The other was a free-kick against Italy in Le Tournoi, it was going about a metre wide and swerved in – just an unbelievable goal from a great player.
Anderson on Rivaldo, Ronaldinho
I’m a big admirer of Rivaldo for his technique, his passing and his aggressive way of playing and I’m also a huge fan of Ronaldinho. They are both excellent with the ball at their feet – the way they treat the ball is fantastic. I’m sure they’ll be remembered in football history for many years to come. Some people have made comparisons between myself and Ronaldinho and I feel very proud about that, but you have to remember that Ronaldinho is an established top class footballer who has been named the best player in the world twice. He’s a great guy and a good friend of mine, but no two players are the same – Ronaldinho is Ronaldinho and Anderson is Anderson. It’s an honour to play alongside him [for Brazil], it’s something every footballer in the world would like to do. He’s a great player and I hope one day I can reach the level he has reached.
Rodrigo Possebon on Zinedine Zidane
I think Zinedine Zidane is one of the greatest ever players. I loved watching him play, even though he almost single-handedly knocked Brazil out of the World Cup twice! He had everything and I always used to look up to him.
John O'Shea on Paul McGrath
Paul McGrath was a big favourite at United, but I watched him a lot for Ireland too. What I liked about him was he was as comfortable at playing in midfield as he was at playing centre-back. It wasn’t a problem to him. He was the versatile type! And not only did he have great ability, he was also very calm on the ball. He was written off with his knees, but he went on to become the PFA Player of the Year. That shows you what a top player and determined character he was. He was a special player and someone who I looked up to.
Jonny Evans on Roy Keane
I reckon 80 per cent of young players now who supported Manchester United when they were growing up would tell you Keano was their hero, just because of the way he was and the character he is. He was an awesome player and an incredible leader. I watched the Treble season as an 11-year-old in Belfast, having supported United all my life, and can still see those images in my head of the Champions League semi-final against Juventus and how Keane totally changed the game. He grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck even though he knew he was suspended for the final. That stuck in my mind when I was growing up. There are other moments as well like when we won 4-2 at Arsenal and the banter between Keane and Vieira in the tunnel beforehand. As a supporter it doesn’t get any better than that.
Read more in the latest issue of Inside United
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