Red Devils legend Sir Alex Ferguson backed two of his former Manchester United players to become top managers after their careers came to an end.
That is according to Manchester United legend Patrice Evra, who opened up on the “key trait” that Ferguson identified in him.
Sir Alex Ferguson, who never shouted at one of his players, called it time on his legendary career in 2013 after he secured United’s last Premier League title.
Since Ferguson’s retirement from the sport, former United players have tried their hand at managing from the dugout and have experienced both highs and lows.
Wayne Rooney has managed the likes of Derby County and DC United, but the United legend’s ill-fated spell at Birmingham City ended this month with the sacking.
United legend Michael Carrick is currently in charge of Middlesbrough and led the Championship side to the Carabao Cup semi-finals in a scintillating run this season.
Red Devils hero Ruud van Nistelrooy became PSV Eindhoven manager in 2022 and lifted the Dutch Cup in 2023, only to later step down from his post as head coach.
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Evra talks Ferguson’s two United picks
Evra was brought to Old Trafford by Ferguson in 2006 after he was signed from Monaco and the Frenchman enjoyed a successful spell at United.
The 42-year-old Manchester United legend lifted five Premier League titles, a Champions League and three League Cups under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Evra left Old Trafford in 2014 and went on to play for Juventus, Marseille and West Ham before calling it time on his prolific playing career.
The former United defender has sporadically appeared as a pundit since his retirement, but Evra has not stepped into the dugout as a manager.
Speaking to The Hindu, Evra was asked about the idea of returning to United one day and potentially working for the Premier League club.
The former France international told the Indian newspaper that Ferguson believed that both him and Ryan Giggs would become top managers in the future.
“It will happen for sure [a return to United]!” Evra said.
“It would be selfish of me to not work with United again, or not share what I have learned from all my years of experience.
“Before his retirement, Sir Alex Ferguson told me one day that the two players he saw becoming great managers in the future were Ryan Giggs and me.
“He told me that I knew how to communicate and drive people, and that was a key trait.
“A manager can be a footballing tactical genius, but if he’s not able to communicate his ideas to the players, then he can’t survive. I always remember SAF’s words.”
Ryan Giggs entered management post-United
While Evra didn’t enter management after his career, former United teammate Giggs did after spending his entire club playing career under Ferguson’s influence.
Giggs briefly managed United after David Moyes’ sacking and also served as assistant manager at Old Trafford after Louis van Gaal’s arrival at the club.
The 50-year-old Welshman became Wales manager in 2018, only to step away from his duties in 2020 after his arrest and resigned from his post in 2022.
Giggs has been out of management since his time with the Wales national team, but the United legend has opened up about his future and ruled out managing one club.
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