Sir Alex Ferguson once “turned around” and asked his Manchester United “lads” which footballer should he sign next, with his players all settling on one name.
That is according to Manchester United legend Gary Pallister, who revealed that one iconic former player left a long-lasting impression on him and his ex-teammates.
Sir Alex Ferguson is widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time and created an enduring legacy during his illustrious coaching career at Old Trafford.
The legendary former United manager engineered all 13 of United’s Premier League title wins and led the Premier League club to an iconic treble win in 1999.
The 82-year-old Scotsman enjoyed incredible success in his native homeland with Scottish side Aberdeen before he arrived at Old Trafford in 1986.
Ferguson’s career in management came to an end after United lifted their Premier League title in the 2012-13 campaign, with the Scot subsequently retiring.
Pallister on Ferguson’s question to Man Utd players
Gary Pallister arrived at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson in 1989 and the former Manchester United defender enjoyed incredible success with the Red Devils.
The 59-year-old made 422 appearances for the Red Devils and lifted four Premier League titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups and a European Cup Winners’ Cup.
During his time at Old Trafford under Ferguson, Pallister crossed paths with Roy Keane while the Irishman was making a name for himself at Nottingham Forest.
Pallister said the 1992 League Cup final, which ended in a 1-0 United win over Nottingham Forest, allowed him to see Roy Keane in action first-hand.
The former England and United defender claimed Ferguson asked his players after the following season which signing should he make for the Red Devils.
Pallister added that the United players were in agreement that Keane should be an important signing that Ferguson makes in the transfer window.
“We played against Roy in the League Cup final against Nottingham Forest and I think he kicked every one of our players that day,” he told the Sunday World.
“He also had an argument with every United player as well.
“At the end of the following season, we had won the title the previous week and we were playing cards with the gaffer on the team bus, just a game of Hearts.
“He was sat there and he just turned around to the lads and said: ‘If you could sign a player next season, who would it be?’ And to a man, we all said Keane.
“As much as we’d all had a fight with him in that match, we liked what we saw from him.
“You could see he hated getting beat. He got so angry about it and was ready to fight with anybody to get a win. That speaks volumes about what he was then and what he became.”
Pallister talks Man Utd legend Keane
Roy Keane would leave Nottingham Forest in 1993 and completed a sensational move to Old Trafford after United agreed a British record transfer fee at the time.
Signed for a £3.75m fee, Keane became a linchpin midfield figure for Ferguson and later excelled as captain of United after Eric Cantona’s unexpected retirement.
The 53-year-old no-nonsense Irishman is widely regarded as one of the best captains of all time and was admired for his leadership skills on the pitch and off it.
Pallister insisted that Keane had the “perfect personality” for United and was the “perfect man” to replace Red Devils legend Bryan Robson at the club.
“Roy came into that United side after we won the first Premier League title in the 1992/93 season and there were some massive characters in [there] that time,” he added.
“It takes you time to feel comfortable in your surroundings and find your feet, as it did with me when I first went to United.
“It’s a bit of shock and awe when you come into Manchester United for the first time, as everything is so big.
“The club is even bigger now probably, but they had not won the title for 26 years until we ended that run, and you could feel the sense of desperation to end that run.
“Roy had the perfect personality for what we needed in that team. He had the warrior spirit and he was the perfect man to replace Robbo [Bryan Robson], who left the following year.”
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