Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that one Manchester United legend blew him away with his progress and offered him several contracts in the space of a single year.
The 82-year-old Manchester United legend has been out of the Old Trafford dugout since 2013 after he called it time on his remarkable managerial career.
United lifted their last Premier League title under Sir Alex Ferguson, with the Red Devils comfortably beating Manchester City to the trophy in the 2012-13 season.
Ferguson ushered in a period of dominance over English football during his legendary spell at Old Trafford, with United lifting 13 Premier League titles.
The iconic Scot is widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time after his impact in England with United and in Scotland with Aberdeen.
Ferguson’s achievements at United included leading the Red Devils to their iconic continental treble win in the famous 1998-99 season.
Ferguson talks Man Utd legend and contracts
Speaking on the Go Radio Business Show, Sir Alex Ferguson opened up about the changing landscape for financial incentives for young players in the sport now.
The legendary former Manchester United manager insisted that Ryan Giggs was the “perfect example” of a player who was rewarded for his success as a youngster.
Ryan Giggs broke into the United first team under Ferguson during the 1990s and made a real name for himself at a young age at Old Trafford.
The 50-year-old Welshman spent his entire career at United and Giggs played the large majority of his legendary Red Devils playing spell under Ferguson.
One of the famed Class of ’92 members, Giggs lifted 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, four FA Cups and four League Cups with United.
Ferguson, who named Giggs as one of the four “world-class” players he managed, recalled how the Welshman once earned “10 contracts” in a single year alone.
“The money thing got a bit bigger for young players because of agents and things like that,” he said, as per the Manchester Evening News.
“But I think the important thing is, if you’re giving them an opportunity young enough, they’ll have a great career.
“The perfect example is Ryan Giggs. When Ryan signed his first contract at 17, he was on [a] little, not a great deal. The next year, I gave him I think 10 contracts.
“So, when he did well, we honoured it. We improved it. And when he did well again, we honoured it, and we improved it. And right through the very end of his career, we did that.”
Ferguson protected Giggs at Man Utd
Ryan Giggs is widely admired for his longevity in football and the United legend finally retired from football at the age of 40 in 2014.
During his early days at Old Trafford, the former United star was protected by Ferguson and was allowed to focus on reaching his true potential.
“The best example of managing young talent I can think of was Sir Alex Ferguson with Ryan Giggs,” Graeme Souness recalled in July.
“In the early days of his Manchester United career, with all the hype that surrounded him, he was barely allowed to say a word.
“It was all about concentrating on becoming a top player first.”
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