Man Management

One of Sir Alex Ferguson’s great strengths as a manager is that he really knows how to look after his players and over the years many of them have cause to be enormously grateful to him for that.

Right now Cristiano Ronaldo is receiving rave reviews for his performances in a Manchester United shirt and is considered by some to be the best player in the world, yet last summer there was a time when many believed he was unlikely to return to the club and if he did, his position would be made intolerable. His rise from villain to hero is attributable to the strength of his own character, his great gifts as a player and the support and belief of his manager.

Another United recruit who has benefited from Sir Alex’s guidance is Patrice Evra, who had a disastrously nervous start to his United career and has now emerged as an outstanding first choice left back. At the Emirates Stadium, he contained Arsenal’s Alexander Hleb – a player who has terrorised many defenders with his close control and dribbling ability – and his magnificent run and cross in the second half set up Wayne Rooney for the opening goal.