Max Verstappen singles out Man Utd legend and cult hero under Sir Alex Ferguson, he shared special ‘connection’ with them

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Formula One world champion Max Verstappen namechecked two former Manchester United stars during his admiration for Sir Alex Ferguson and the Red Devils.

Sir Alex Ferguson is widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time after his success with Manchester United in England and with Aberdeen in Scotland.

The 82-year-old iconic Scotsman arrived at Old Trafford in 1986 after he enjoyed major silverware success with Scottish side Aberdeen.

Ferguson replaced Ron Atkinson in the Old Trafford hot seat and the former United manager weathered a tough start to life in England.

The United legend ushered in incredible success for the Red Devils, including leading the Premier League club to an iconic continental treble win in 1999.

Ferguson engineered all 13 of United’s Premier League title wins and the legendary Scot bowed out of Old Trafford as Red Devils manager in 2013.

READ MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson refused to let ‘Class of ’92’ star sign for Real Madrid, Man Utd legend had one major ‘reasoning’ behind it

Verstappen talks Man Utd and Ferguson

Max Verstappen has had a legendary career in Formula One and the Red Bull superstar captured the World Drivers’ Championship title in 2024.

The 27-year-old scooped his fourth consecutive World Drivers’ Championship in November after he finished in fifth place in the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Verstappen, who is of Dutch and Belgian heritage, admitted that the success that Manchester United achieved under Sir Alex Ferguson “inspires” him.

The current F1 world champion admitted that the “Dutch connection” with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin van Persie played a part in him becoming a United fan.

“I just like the story behind when Sir Alex Ferguson was the manager,” he told The Daily Mirror.

“Initially, the Dutch connection with [Ruud] van Nistelrooy and [Robin] van Persie also came in.

“You become a fan and you start reading more into the club, how they have achieved a lot of their success.

“It just inspires me. I like it. I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s really cool and it’s a cool club.’ Of course, they went through a tough time, but when I see them do well, it makes me happy.”

READ MORE: Louis van Gaal reveals there was ‘one person who supported’ him during his time as Man Utd manager in heartfelt email

F1 star Verstappen on being a Man Utd fan

Verstappen has previously claimed that he is not a “die-hard United fan,” despite retaining his allegiance with the Red Devils.

The F1 superstar admitted that he shares a relationship with other Dutch players at rival Premier League clubs, specifically Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk.

Verstappen insisted that he enjoys watching football and believes that the Premier League is the best football league in the world.

Speaking to talkSPORT in 2023, he said: “I’m a United fan. It’s not like I’m a die-hard United fan.

“I mean, I’m talking to Virgil [van Dijk] and Liverpool players, stuff like that. For me, I enjoy it when I see a great football match and I think the Premier League is the best league out there.

“It has a lot of great players. I think Man City are winning a little bit too much, but then again, I can say the same thing about us [Red Bull]. The other teams need to get better.”