Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson had the utmost respect for the team and manager throughout his legendary career.
Ryan Giggs spent most of his prolific career at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson after breaking into the first team as part of promotion in 1992. The 50-year-old former Welsh striker had an extraordinary spell at Old Trafford, winning 13 Premier League titles with Manchester United.
Giggs is one of United’s greatest ever players, winning two Champions Leagues, four FA Cups and three League Cups under United legend Ferguson. Ferguson left an indelible mark on the Red Devils and the iconic former United manager left Old Trafford in 2013 for the final time as manager.
The 82-year-old Scot ushered in United’s period of dominance in English football, with the club winning 13 Premier League titles under Ferguson. Ferguson is widely respected for his managerial achievements in both Scotland and England and is one of the greatest managers in the history of the sport.
The legendary Scot has played for many strong teams and formidable managers, but Ferguson has always held one club and one manager in his deepest respect throughout his career.
Giggs on Ferguson and Manchester United
In an interview with The Voice of Coaches, Ryan Giggs spoke about his time under Sir Alex Ferguson and the former Manchester United manager’s legacy in the sport.
Ferguson faced a lot of competition during his legendary career at United, including coming up against Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger. Arsène Wenger famously had a rivalry with Ferguson in the Premier League after he took over as Arsenal manager, with the Frenchman challenging United’s dominance.
The Gunners won three Premier League titles under Wenger, including leading Arsenal’s Invincibles to the trophy in 2003-04. Ferguson had a fierce battle with the 74-year-old Frenchman, and the rivalry between United and Arsenal became an iconic moment of the Premier League era.
Giggs said United legend Ferguson always tried to stay ahead of his rivals and respected Arsenal and Wenger for pushing him to the limit. “If he could resist the opposition and the team’s director, he would have killed them kindly or aggressively in connection with the manager,” he said.
“He said that, he said about you, what are you going to do?”
“He respects Arsenal and respects the Arsen Wenger, so he has always found a way to get this advantage, and he knew that these were probably small details that could get this result ”
Ferguson, the Manchester United legend, discusses the rivalry with Wenger.
In 2023, United hero Ferguson and Arsenal legend Wenger will be the first managers to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, which is well-deserved.
Ferguson stated at the time that Wenger was a “very worthy inductee” and that the former Arsenal manager “transformed” the London club “fantastically.”
The former Aberdeen and United boss also stated that Arsenal were a “tough” club under Wenger, and their rivalry in the dugout “motivated” them even more.
“I feel Arsene is a very worthy inductee as he transformed Arsenal Football Club fantastically,” he said in 2023.
“They became a tough team to compete with and we both wanted to win, which motivated us further.
“Through the years since retirement, we’d go for dinner together in a little restaurant he knows well in Switzerland.
“He is a really interesting man and I enjoy his company, but it is still my job to pick the wine!”
