25 years ago today I was sat having my breakfast. It was a Thursday morning and Manchester United were recovering from the embarrassment of a 5-0 League Cup defeat at Southampton. Ron Atkinson was sacked as a result and the radio that I was listening to announced something that would change the Old Trafford's outfit forever. Alex Ferguson, the Scot who had dismantled the Glasgow monopoly of Scottish football with Aberdeen, was to become the new manager of Britain's biggest club.
Ferguson's mission south of the border was to knock Liverpool off their perch, just like he had done to Rangers and Celtic in the Scottish Premier League.
However, after three trophy-less years, that ambition seemed as far away as ever. Liverpool continued to dominate and United were struggling in mid-table. During a 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace one fan unfurled a banner stating: "3 YEARS OF EXCUSES AND IT'S STILL CRAP … TA RA FERGIE."
Just a few weeks later a 1-0 win away at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round gave Ferguson some respite and was the beginning of an upturn in fortunes. Mark Robins' goal set them on the way to Wembley. Many have suggested that game against Forest was the one, and more specifically, Robins' neat headed finish, saved Fergie's job. United went on to beat Crystal Palace in the final after a replay.
The rest, as they say, is history. And to add to Ferguson's mirth, Liverpool began to decline, and have yet to stem the tide of trophies heading to Old Trafford.
So, the big question is after t 25 years at the helm, who would make a Fergie XI. Well here goes my best efforts at separating Vidic from Stam, Cantona from Van Nistelrooy...
Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel
The great Dane at just £550,00 proved to be one of the bargains of the century. He went on to become the greatest goalkeeper of his generation, culminating in captaining the side to that memorable Champions League success in 1999.
Right back: Gary Neville
One of the easier choices. Red Nev was a mainstay of the United defence for the best part of 15 years.
Left back: Denis Irwin
Irwin was Mr Reliable. He was an outstanding defender and would occasionally pop up with the odd goal from a free kick or penalty.
Centre back: Rio Ferdinand
Probably the world's best defender over the last ten years.
Centre back: Nemanja Vidic
The second half of the famous Ferdinand-Vidic defensive axis, Vidic is now the club captain.
Right midfield: Cristiano Ronaldo
66 league goals, three league titles and one Champions League in his last three years at the club make him a certainty for this team.
Centre midfield: Roy Keane
The first name on the teamsheet for almost ten years says it all. Any queries, just watch that performance in Turin against Juventus in the Champions League semi-final of 1999. The fact that he received a booking that meant he could not play in the final makes his performance all the more remarkable.
Centre midfield: Paul Scholes
Nicknamed 'SatNav' by his team-mates due to his unerring accuracy with his passes, one of the biggest compliments that he could be paid came from Pep Guardiola. The Barcelona coach said the little maestro was the United player he would most like to have at the Nou Camp.
Left midfield: Ryan Giggs
20 years marching up and down the wing of one of Europe's top clubs. Need I say more?
Forward: Wayne Rooney
Rooney has gone from potential to one of the world's most feared attackers in the modern game.
Forward: Eric Cantona
The catalyst for United's success. A £1.2 million purchase from Leeds United and was a crucial part of the first four Premier League titles of the Fergie era. The influence he had over the younger players is often underestimated.
Ferguson's mission south of the border was to knock Liverpool off their perch, just like he had done to Rangers and Celtic in the Scottish Premier League.
However, after three trophy-less years, that ambition seemed as far away as ever. Liverpool continued to dominate and United were struggling in mid-table. During a 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace one fan unfurled a banner stating: "3 YEARS OF EXCUSES AND IT'S STILL CRAP … TA RA FERGIE."
Just a few weeks later a 1-0 win away at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round gave Ferguson some respite and was the beginning of an upturn in fortunes. Mark Robins' goal set them on the way to Wembley. Many have suggested that game against Forest was the one, and more specifically, Robins' neat headed finish, saved Fergie's job. United went on to beat Crystal Palace in the final after a replay.
The rest, as they say, is history. And to add to Ferguson's mirth, Liverpool began to decline, and have yet to stem the tide of trophies heading to Old Trafford.
So, the big question is after t 25 years at the helm, who would make a Fergie XI. Well here goes my best efforts at separating Vidic from Stam, Cantona from Van Nistelrooy...
Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel
The great Dane at just £550,00 proved to be one of the bargains of the century. He went on to become the greatest goalkeeper of his generation, culminating in captaining the side to that memorable Champions League success in 1999.
Right back: Gary Neville
One of the easier choices. Red Nev was a mainstay of the United defence for the best part of 15 years.
Left back: Denis Irwin
Irwin was Mr Reliable. He was an outstanding defender and would occasionally pop up with the odd goal from a free kick or penalty.
Centre back: Rio Ferdinand
Probably the world's best defender over the last ten years.
Centre back: Nemanja Vidic
The second half of the famous Ferdinand-Vidic defensive axis, Vidic is now the club captain.
Right midfield: Cristiano Ronaldo
66 league goals, three league titles and one Champions League in his last three years at the club make him a certainty for this team.
Centre midfield: Roy Keane
The first name on the teamsheet for almost ten years says it all. Any queries, just watch that performance in Turin against Juventus in the Champions League semi-final of 1999. The fact that he received a booking that meant he could not play in the final makes his performance all the more remarkable.
Centre midfield: Paul Scholes
Nicknamed 'SatNav' by his team-mates due to his unerring accuracy with his passes, one of the biggest compliments that he could be paid came from Pep Guardiola. The Barcelona coach said the little maestro was the United player he would most like to have at the Nou Camp.
Left midfield: Ryan Giggs
20 years marching up and down the wing of one of Europe's top clubs. Need I say more?
Forward: Wayne Rooney
Rooney has gone from potential to one of the world's most feared attackers in the modern game.
Forward: Eric Cantona
The catalyst for United's success. A £1.2 million purchase from Leeds United and was a crucial part of the first four Premier League titles of the Fergie era. The influence he had over the younger players is often underestimated.
