Manchester United legend Denis Irwin candidly responded after Sir Alex Ferguson claimed he would be the only player who would be a “certainty” in his all-time XI.
Irwin, who received the ultimate compliment from Roy Keane, had a prolific playing career at Old Trafford after Sir Alex Ferguson signed him from Oldham Athletic.
The 58-year-old Manchester United legend cost the Premier League club a fee of £650,000 in 1990 and Irwin had a significant impact at the Red Devils.
Irwin is widely regarded as one of the best full-backs in the top-flight league’s history, with the Irishman proficient in playing on either flank at Old Trafford.
The former United defender also excelled in both his defensive and attacking qualities, with Irwin being skilful with his ability from free-kicks and penalties.
Irwin spent 12 seasons at United and made a whopping 515 appearances for the Red Devils, along with scoring 33 times and registering two assists.
The ex-United full-back left Old Trafford in 2002 and signed for Wolves, making 81 appearances for the club before he called it time on a prolific career in 2004.
Ferguson has spoken highly of Irwin’s legacy at United and the former Red Devils boss paid tribute to him with one of his biggest compliments ever.
What did Ferguson say about Denis Irwin?
Speaking at an event in Glasgow in 2013, Sir Alex Ferguson opened up about his legendary 26-year career at Manchester United and the players he managed.
Ferguson, who retired from management in 2013, claimed at the time it was “absolutely impossible” to name his all-time United XI.
The 82-year-old Scotsman, who was promoting his autobiography in 2013, pointed to each position in an XI and the star-studded talent he could choose from.
Despite claiming it would be an almost impossible task to pick an XI, Ferguson highlighted the importance of Denis Irwin and called him an “unbelievable” player.
Irwin, who named the best dribbler he ever saw at Old Trafford, was famously known as ‘Mr Reliable’ and Ferguson called him an “eight out of 10.”
Speaking of Irwin, Ferguson said: “But honestly, I would say Denis Irwin would be the one certainty to get in the team. I called him an eight out of 10.
“At Highbury in one game, he had a bad pass back in the last minute and [Dennis] Bergkamp came in and scored.
“After the game, the press said, ‘You must be disappointed in that pass back.’ I said, ‘Well, one mistake in 10 years isn’t bad.’ He was an unbelievable player.”
Irwin’s response to Ferguson’s praise
Irwin has been an ever-present figure at Old Trafford after his playing career came to an end and he later took up an ambassador role with United.
The former Republic of Ireland international admitted he was over the moon to hear Ferguson say that he would be the “one certainty” in his all-time United XI.
“I was very proud to hear that from a great manager like Sir Alex,” Irwin told Sportstar in 2017.
“He has won so many trophies, and has managed so many great players. But I suppose that as a left-back, his choices were limited.
“It was probably a toss-up between me and Patrice Evra.”