Sir Alex Ferguson explains why Keane and Ronaldo are not the spirit of Man Utd

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Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed the players he believes were "the spirit" of Manchester United during two decades of dominance – and it's not Roy Keane or Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo and Keane are remembered as two of the greatest players to have worn the famous red shirt during Ferguson's 27 years in charge at Old Trafford.

Legendary skipper Keane helped guide United to their famous treble, with his huge trophy haul including seven Premier League titles and four FA Cups after he signed from Nottingham Forest in 1993.

Ronaldo spearheaded a new era of dominance, winning three Premier Leagues, the Champions League and the Club World Cup among other trophies as he scored 118 goals for the Red Devils.

But Ferguson says the real ethos of the club during his time in the hotseat was the 'Class of 92' who provided the basis for a team which conquered all.

And he said in bringing through youngsters such as David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, he was following the example set by one of United's other great managers, Sir Matt Busby.

"Matt Busby had rebuilt the club [in the 1950s and 60s] with fantastic young footballers," Ferguson told The Guardian.

"I wanted to do the same. People have an opinion of Manchester United in terms of the great players like Ronaldo and Keane.

"But the spirit of that club in my time was through the young players – Beckham, Giggs, Scholes, the Nevilles. I knew we were on the way. I just needed support from the board.”

While Ronaldo was not a generation younger than that homegrown group who embodied the club's values, joining from Sporting Lisbon in 2003, Ferguson said he brought the same mental qualities to United.

"That was at the forefront of all my methods of management – to make sure players could cope with the strains and challenges of being a top footballer," Ferguson said.

"I’ve always tried to endow them with that talent of being mentally tough. I’m very lucky.

"At United, all the best players were mentally tough. Ronaldo is tough, honestly, as old boots. He was always going to be a great player because he had it up there [in his head]."

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  • Champions League
  • Premier League
  • World Cup
  • Cristiano Ronaldo
  • David Beckham
  • Sir Alex Ferguson
  • Manchester United FC
  • Ryan Giggs

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