Manchester United fans are baffled at how one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s criminally underrated signings has “still” not been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Sir Alex Ferguson bowed out of Old Trafford in 2013 after he led Manchester United to their last Premier League title at the end of the 2012-13 season.
The 82-year-old Scotsman managed a roster of star-studded talent at Old Trafford, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.
Ferguson, who is regarded as one of the best managers of all time, took his place in the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2023 as an inaugural managerial inductee.
The Scot entered the Hall of Fame alongside legendary former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who shared an iconic rivalry with Ferguson in the Premier League era.
United legends have also taken their rightful places in the Hall of Fame, including the likes of David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane and Eric Cantona.
Ferguson famously claimed that he only managed four world-class players in his legendary career, despite bringing the best in class to Old Trafford.
Despite his praise for only four world-class players, Ferguson also said that there would be only one former footballer who would be a “certainty” in his all-time XI.
READ MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson’s ‘only certainty’ in his all-time Man Utd XI reacted to his ultimate compliment
Man Utd legend snubbed from Hall of Fame
The Premier League’s official website on Monday announced that Chelsea legend Ashley Cole had become the latest inductee into the Hall of Fame.
Ashley Cole, who had a prolific career with both Arsenal and Chelsea, is one of three inductees for the Premier League Hall of Fame’s class of 2024.
The two other inductees will be voted into the Hall of Fame by members of the public, with fans able to cast their votes on the Premier League’s official website.
The voting for the two other inductees will close on 8th April at 12pm UK time, with the Premier League to announce the winners of the poll on 22nd April.
Five Manchester United legends are among the nominees in the public vote, including former England midfielder Michael Carrick and treble-winner Andy Cole.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville also made the shortlist, while fellow legends Edwin van der Sar and Nemanja Vidic featured alongside their former United teammate.
Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen, who was brought to Old Trafford by Sir Alex Ferguson, also made the Hall of Fame shortlist.
However, furious fans were baffled at how United legend Denis Irwin was overlooked for the Hall of Fame ahead of Cole.
Furious Man Utd fans react to Denis Irwin snub
United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, were frustrated that Denis Irwin had been overlooked for the Premier League Hall of Fame.
The 58-year-old Irishman had a prolific career at United under Ferguson, with Irwin excelling on either flank as a full-back and from both free-kicks and penalties.
“Denis Irwin has more than double the amount of [Premier League] titles that Cole has. Ridiculous he’s still not been inducted,” one X account wrote.
Another tweeted: “Denis Irwin [is] still getting snubbed.”
A third said: “Was worried when I [saw] Denis Irwin was trending but it’s just to remind everyone who the greatest left-back to ever play professional football was.”
Someone else added: “I’ve got no issue with Cole going into the [Premier League Hall of Fame]. However, to put him in before Denis Irwin is an absolute farce and someone needs to be held accountable for the decision.”
A fifth asked: “When’s Denis Irwin getting inducted then?”
While somebody else commented: “Denis Irwin. The fact that he isn’t even shortlisted is a travesty for the greatest left-back in Premier League history…”
“Denis Irwin [over] Ashley Cole and it’s not even a debate,” one fan posted.
And an eighth wrote: “Denis Irwin should be ahead of him [Cole], though, in my opinion.”