Ex-Aberdeen and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson “made sure it was strictly business” when his players from one iconic team “stepped onto the field.”
Sir Alex Ferguson is considered one of the best managers of all time and the former Manchester United manager enjoyed incredible success in his legendary career.
The 83-year-old iconic Scotsman made a real name for himself in Scotland with Aberdeen before Ferguson completed his move to Old Trafford in 1986.
Ferguson forever etched his name into the Red Devils’ longstanding history books, including leading United to a famous treble win in the 1998-99 season.
The United legend’s stunning exploits at the Red Devils included lifting 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, five FA Cups and four League Cups.
Ferguson’s remarkable 26-year reign came to an end at Old Trafford in 2013 after United were crowned Premier League champions in the 2012-13 campaign.
Owen Hargreaves was blown away by the incredible talent in Man Utd’s 2007-08 team under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford
Sir Alex Ferguson brought Owen Hargreaves to Old Trafford in 2007 after Manchester United signed him for a fee believed to be £17m from Bayern Munich.
United’s beloved 2007-08 team beat Chelsea to the Premier League title before defeating the Blues in the 2008 Champions League final on penalties in Moscow.
Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine, Owen Hargreaves said: “It was an unbelievable team, so I would probably have to say yes, it was [the best team I’d ever played in], with no disrespect to my Bayern teammates.
“It had absolutely everything. The front three of Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez could all score every type of goal and they were a midfielder’s dream, because they worked so hard out of possession.”
Hargreaves, whose Old Trafford spell was curtailed by injuries, admitted that Ferguson had built a United squad that was filled to the brim with remarkable talent.
“Wayne and Carlos, in particular, were like extra ball-winners in the middle – horrible to play against,” he continued.
“Cristiano won his Ballon d’Or in 2008 and was the best player on the planet. He was a machine that season.
“I played a lot alongside Michael Carrick, who just oozed class and was so positionally intelligent, and Paul Scholes, the best passer I ever played with.
“There was the defence, too, with Rio, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra, and Edwin van der Sar in goal.”
Owen Hargreaves refuses to overlook three underrated former Man Utd teammates under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford
Owen Hargreaves lifted the Premier League title and the Champions League trophy with United before he left the Red Devils in 2011 and signed for Manchester City.
The ex-Bayern Munich and United did not pass up the opportunity to single out John O’Shea, Darren Fletcher and Ji-sung Park for their “unsung” exploits for his side.
“The unsung heroes were just as important – John O’Shea, Darren Fletcher and Park Ji-sung,” Hargreaves added.
“We had loads of fun off the pitch, but Fergie made sure it was strictly business when we stepped onto the field.
“We knew how to win every kind of game: we could dominate the ball against the smaller teams, hit teams like Arsenal and Barcelona on the counter-attack, and grind out a scrappy win against teams like Chelsea.
“When things were purring, we could blow opponents away.”
Hargreaves was reduced to only 39 matches for the Red Devils in his spell and the former England international only scored twice and registered two assists for United.
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