Sir Alex Ferguson, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Anderson, Jonny Evans, John O’Shea and Ben Foster tell the official United magazine who their heroes are.
Sir Alex Ferguson – Denis Law
“Denis was my hero. 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!’ He epitomised everything a Scotsman is about. He was daring and courageous, he had that bravado about him and he had style. He was a truly fantastic footballer.”
Jonny Evans – Roy Keane
“I reckon 80 per cent of young players who supported Manchester United when they were growing up would tell you that Roy Keane was their hero – just because of the way he was and the character he is. Keano was an awesome player – and an incredible leader.”
Gary Neville – Bryan Robson
“I always thought Bryan Robson was everything that a United player should be – and I still do. Even when I watch footage of him in action now, I always think of him giving everything for the cause. Blood, guts and thunder – with real class as well.”
John O’Shea – Paul McGrath
“Paul McGrath was a big favourite. He was as comfortable playing in midfield as he was at 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 a special player.”
Ben Foster – Peter Schmeichel
“Peter Schmeichel was a cut above the rest in his era and changed the face of goalkeeping. I still try to model myself on him and use aspects of his game in mine. He produced some truly unbelievable saves. I still watch them on YouTube.”
Anderson – Rivaldo
“His passing and his aggressive way of playing was great. I’m definitely a big admirer of his technique.”
Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney – Maradona
Rio Ferdinand: “My inspiration to play football was probably Diego Maradona. He’s the first memory I have of someone doing something really great. I had all his videos and loved watching him.”
Ryan Giggs: “I always used to look out for left-footers and John Barnes and Maradona were always the ones that I looked up to when I was a kid. I remember Maradona in the 1986 World Cup. He was such a great player. That goal he scored against England – not the Hand of God goal – was absolutely amazing.”
Wayne Rooney: “My favourite player is Maradona. I’ve watched lots of videos of him in action and I just love the way he played. In my eyes, he’s the best player of all time.”
Michael Carrick – Peter Beardsley, Gazza and Ian Wright
“I loved the way Beardo (Peter Beardsley) played the game. Gascoigne was an absolute genius. Wright I enjoyed watching more for his goal celebrations.”
Man Utd News 24/7
How come we’re still counting Carlos Tevez?
Roy Keane would be mine
Who cares what that little cunt thinks…he’s not half the player that Diego was.
Maldini for me. At United I would say Hargreaves
Mine would be Roberto Baggio. The first player i idolised. From United, it has to be Ole Solskjaer.
sir bobby charlton.he nt only was a gr8 player bt is a gr8 ambassador for the club
Giggs and Scholes
For me its got to be George Best – genius. Now, Wazza.
speaking of tevez…
http://www.tribalfootball.com/man-utd-ponder-making-late-move-man-city-chelsea-target-tevez-256237
cant believe the media goin this far, it will never happen…. i hope
Mezza, that’s bullshit. He is out and he is not coming back. You are right, the media have nothing newswirthy and they are making up the worse of scenarios.
Norman Whiteside was a player i idolised. But that was before Cantona.
Mezza – No mate that won’t happen, don’t worry.
Michael Carrick’s idol was Wrighty? What the fuck?
My boyhood idol was Robbo.
Fletch’s was a surprise, he said his was Fernando Redondo!
King Eric, it’s amazing what name Redond made for himself with THAT dribble against Hennig Berg. But Fletcher was 15-16 at the time and he needed a role model midfielder i guess.
Forgot my manners. Good morning!
Good morning Costas and everyone.
Rafa says he does not need Ribery, they can challenge next season. Glenn Johnson says “Liverpool can win the league the next year”. Yeah yeah yeah, they CAN but they WONT.
I think the destiny of the title still depends on United. I don’t expect any more signings, but if the curent crop gel quickly, then we could find ourselves on the driving seat.
SCHOLESY!!!!
Yeah we can win if the players get to know each others quickly…n owen remains fit would be an icing on the cake…hey any one heard bout the salvo kid we r linked with???…
…and my hero would be scholes love the way he controls the game…
mine will be Scholes & Keano
Got to agree with Jonny Evans there as a child keano was my hero as well…..
My all time hero is Eric Cantona
Now proberly Wayne Rooney
Where is Cantona guys….
My Hero was Van Nistelrooy. Now it’s Wayne Rooney.
And Benitez has said that he wouldn’t want Ribery, does he become more of a dick everyday or what.
I’m sure mine would’ve been Cantona if I was 5 years younger.
cantona was mine spenlunc!
Gotta be scholesy he’s complete apart from the tackling but i love his wild lunges
Mine would be Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Schole + JJ Okocha. Now its Rooney. Whenever Rooney is on the pitch, i always have that feeling of calmness.
Mine would be Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Schole/JJ Okocha. Now its Rooney. Whenever Rooney is on the pitch, i always have that feeling of calmness.
For me, it would have to be Giggsy and Solskjaer for United. Solskjaers probably my fav United player of all time with Giggsy a close second, Cantona in third.
Out of United though, Raul is my favourite player ever.
I am supprised that no one mentioned George Best.
Pele Paid the ultimate compliment, he said In his Eyes George Best is the best player he has ever seen and ever will see.
For me in this generation i would have to say Giggs.Specialy as he has been part of all the success we have had & No other player can boast his Medals!
mines probally becks.
Has to be giggs and scholes. No1 comes close to what those two have done for our club especially giggsy
@trevor.maybe no one mentioned best bcoz we never saw him play.nyways from the current bunch it has to be scholesy though he never gets the credit he deserves
Keane paid a cool Tribute to Scholes.
He said Scholes by far was the best player he ever plaid against or with and in training he always wants to be in scholes team as his is always the winning team..
End of!
patrick Viera also said Scholes was one of the best he played against because he always managed to shift the ball away from you and would pass it every time you got anywhere close
George best and Denis law are my favourite to watch on tape Norman whiteside was my favourite when I started watchin united but then came Eric
Eric Cantona, without any doubt.
The man controlled the pitch, infact the whole stadium. He was an absoulute genius still to this day ive never watched anyone that can change a game like he did. Great man aswell he is one of the big reasons we are as sucessfull as we are today.
Ooh Ahhhh Cantona!
All time, Roy Keane. Now, Anderson.
Cantona was a true god in Manchester United’s Eyes, but few other managers were able to taim his troubled past and control the man!
Erm – Some Facts about the Great man which make me chuckle!!!
Cantona Played in the Under 21 French Side which Won the 1988 Euro Championship
Joined French Side Marseille in 1988 – During a pre season friendly against Torpedo Moscow after being substituted Ripped off his Shirt and threw it as the manager – Receives 1 month ban!!
One Month after the above incident, During a TV Interview Proceeds to Insult the French International Manager and receives a 1 year International Ban!
Marselle Loaned him to Bordeaux then when they sent him back he went to Montpellier – At Montipellier a fight with one of his team mates resulted in Six Players to Demand his Sacking . – Result Cantona Transferred to Nimes the Folowing Season.
Playing for Nimes after disagreeing with a refereeing decision picked the ball up and launched it at him! – Result The French Football Federation
Gave him a 1 Month Ban! Cantona’s responded by Insulting each member once again and his ban was doubled to 2 months!
1991 – Eric Cantona Retires from Football
1992 – Michel Platini Persuaded to make a comeback and he signed for Leeds!
1992 – Less than a year he Signs for United and the rest is history!
Just goes to prove how good a man handler Fergie is! He is a master of not only seeing the talent that the rest of us cant yet see but also getting the best out of players!
Mine would be wayne rooney,fletcher and vidic,i love him 4 something ability to cari team along.4 vidic and fletcher they are commited to the team any day any time.
I was born in 1990 so I grew up watching scholes, neville, Neville, butt, Giggs and beckham so I idolised all them players but the player I remember the most is one Roy Keane he was the heart of united and he could play crap but still turn round to someone a bollock them and my would they listen he was the leader of our young squad with a few vetrans such as big pete etc but I just think he always had a presence on the pitch I just wish I was alive in the busby era to watch someone like Duncan Edwards play my dad said he was like the gerrard of today but better!!
im surprise none of the younger players had eric cantona as a hero. he was an absolute genius, especially for united.
Mine was Beckham.. I’m 22 so I was 11-12 when Beckham was at his best, what a fucking legend. I don’t care if he’s a prat, what a footballer Beckham was and still is
SIR ALEX for me as a role model. As a player Scholesy
Nice one there, Trevor. I never knew he got so many bans in his career. I bet Berba must be aware of all that. Reason why he respects SAF a lot, as some people see a little bit of Cantona in him..
I have a friend here who still believe Becks is the best thing to happen to football. Even better than Pele & Maradona put together…
Toss a coin. One day it’l say Mark Hughes and he next day Paul McGrath.
Although lets not forget Paddy Roche, he left me with such unforgetable memories hahaha
my heroes are Roy Keane and Gabriel Omar Batistuta..
my heroes..keano, ole, zizou (zidane)!
Giggs and Scholes for me.And RedNev.
for me steve bruce, i alwys feel he’s the one who strted the trophy inflow with his goal n alwys have tht close to my heart
Off topic but who here is from Manchester just because I was on the united official forum and some idiot wrote that the forum should only be for people from Manchester I’m from Manchester but I look at united as a global brand and we have fans all over the world hense we’re going to Malaysia just wondered what your guys views are on this and where your from?
no doubt its PAUL SCHOLES
@boam6
I am from India….but that does not make me lesser fan than someone from Manchester…does it???I never miss a single united match…even if it happens to be in wierd timings for me…i hate the dippers as much as anyother fan….i cheered as much as anyother fan when we won the European Cup…
Anyway the idea that only locals should be considered fans is ridiculous…Does that mean only locals will get to play for the club??Without being disrespectful to anybody…Its easier to be a supporter when you get to visit every match and watch the players week in week out…People like me dream of maybe watching one match in the future and that would be such a dream come true for me…I spend half the day reading about United and its past…I still argue with my Dipper supporting friends that their 5 cups would not have been won if the babes had lived on…I am filled with pride when i watch videos of Best and Charlton and Law….So if anyone says that i am not as much a supporter as one from manchester then its his problem …Its his insecurity as a supporter…
Kshetrajna That was the response I was hoping for of course just because you live in a different country you are not a lesser fan I respect fans from other countries because of the amount of commitment they give have you ever been to old Trafford? If not you should definatley try to one day it really is “the Theatre of Dreams”
I just got back from watchin Newcastle playing and Nicky butt walked off the pitch during a corner he didnt go up for to give Me an autograph and Me Wearin a united hoodie he said not a bother NeXT season without Ronaldo valencia is top drawer
@Boam6 – i’m from Barnsley and i’m as passionate about United as anybody from Manchester. I remember the dark days of the 70′s when we got relegated, did i get less passionate then? Did i hell! I supported even more.
tiny tears,
i have no idea what the hell you just said
Mark the devil this is my point it doesn’t matter where your form as long as united is your life then your a true red like I said united is a global brand I enjoy the fact that my beloved team is so well supported!
Basically Nicky didn’t go up for one of the corners, so he gave GHTT an autograph at the side of the pitch as he was wearing his United hoodie and said Valencia is top drawer. The Barcodes were playing Shamrock (maybe?) today.
On topic, as from the name, Giggs is my hero. Had home and away shirts with his name a number and countless posters lol. Also used to like Sharp if I remember right! Only for his Elvis.
I went to see newcastle play a gamę against my local team and while rovers had a corner in the other half i shouted at nicky butt for an autograph as he was about 2 feet away from me he came over to me to and gave me one. He then seen that I was wearing a man united top and said that Valencia was top drawer and next season will be no bother without Ronaldo
off topic.wtf are real madrid upto.they r close to signing gaetano d agostino frm udinese for 21.5mn pounds.
Butty – United through and through, just as Phil Nev! I personally never really rated either of them though… Conceded way too many fouls in dangerous areas.
@ghtt.r u serious?
Sig I really am it was cool I gave the autograph to my neice
For me the players you idolise are the ones when you were a kid. When you get older you just appreciate class players. Luckily these class players only play for Manchester United.
There are two players I idolised as a kid. Steve Coppell & Martin Buchan. Legends.
ghtt thats fuckin ace, i remember delievering some tarmac to nicky butts house in manchester just after they had drew 2-2 with chelsea to pretty much had us our 1st of 3, he is a top bloke never really done alot since leaving us though. wish him all the best next season
Man United has had and still has so many gr8 players that its rly hard to choose one..anyways d players I hav admired are Cantona, Ronaldo, Rooney and d Giggsy generation
Outside Man United I wouldnt I lie am a big fan of Michael Owen even though I h8 Liverfools
i heard dat nicky butt has gt relegated twice.can nyone tel me which was the other club apart frm newcastle?
Birmingham wasn’t it?
@boam 6.thanks mate.wen was it?.when i started following he was at man utd
I’m from Liverpool. Yes it’s a shithole. I support and worship United basically because my Dad made me when I was a baby (I’m 16 now). He was from Manchester and was a young kid during the days of Best, Law and Charlton. My grandad saw Duncan Edwards play. Such a lucky bastard. He told my dad that it was the best thing he ever saw.
I’m 18 and grew up in the 90′s and Giggsy has always been my idol! Every United shirt ive owned ive had Giggs on the back. Man United Legend!
I’m 31, grew up early 80′s idolizing Bryan Robson, always wanted to play like him, pure legend.
Outside of United had to be Van Basten, best striker I’ve ever seen, even today. He was twice the player of Henry or RVN, only striker I’ve seen since to come close was Ronaldo (the Brazilian one obviously) but the 80′s were a good era to grow up in, football wise.
Maradona, Van Basten, Gullit, Zico, Platini, Robson, Sanchez, Butragueno, legends each and every one.
boam6
I hear you mate. I’m living in Melbourne now, but lived in Gateshead all my life before that, grew up as a Man United fan cos me old man was from Manchester originally, only came to live up north when he met my mother, no way was he gonna see me grow up supporting the barcodes or the mackums! My room was filled with United paraphernalia from day 1, bedsheets, posters, kits and footballs, the works.He’d take me to games now and then as well. But last year, in Sydney, I got talking to 3 lads from Manchester all in their United kits in a boozer. 2 of them were sound, having a good crack, the 3rd was a dick, starting griefing me about ‘Giving Man United fans a bad name, I’m the reason why other fans think there’s no United fans in Manchester, I’m a Geordie so I should fuck off’ basically. Luckily his mates told him to shut the fuck up or fuck off, so he fucked off, but what an arrogant nob! The only plus point? I’m very happy to say he had Tevez on the back of his shirt, way to waste 50 quid, dick splash.
Back to the topic..
My favourite has to be Scholes…Have posters of him all over my room….when i play football i try to play like him(note the try)…what a player and what a man….pure legend…outside united i would say Zola was a player i really admired…
My dad used to talk a lot about Cantona. And I started watching football (United) during his years at Old Trafford. When you say hero, he comes to my mind. Another is Ole! I believe Ole is the last of his kind we shall ever see.
my late sister bought me a shirt with ole gunnar solskjaer picture during the day sheringham transfer to manchester if i remember…from that day manchester united is my favourite football club till now no matter who leaves…my footbal idol never leaves though…the guy on that my very first manchester united shirt…
I would say mine is Giggs. My favourite moment would be the goal he scored against arsenal in the FA Cup. Pure magic from the Welsh Wizzard
@scott: looks as if rio’s got another hero, watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDnP3Sb_ckY
maybe you can write an article from it…
cheers!