Andy Cole has insisted that one former Manchester United player under Sir Alex Ferguson was criminally “underrated” after naming him in his all-time XI of ex-Red Devils teammates.
The Manchester United legend on Monday was announced as one of the latest inductees in the Premier League Hall of Fame class of 2024.
The Premier League confirmed last month that Chelsea legend Ashley Cole would automatically be inducted into the Hall of Fame as the headline act.
The two remaining inductees in the class of 2024 were decided after votes from fans around the world were combined with those from the Premier League Awards Panel.
Former United and England striker Cole was on the 15-man shortlist for inductees and was picked out alongside Chelsea legend John Terry as new inductees.
The Premier League held a celebratory event in London on Tuesday to honour the three latest inductees in the Hall of Fame class of 2024.
Cole rightfully earned his place in the Hall of Fame after a storied career at club level, with the United legend enjoying incredible success at Old Trafford.
The 52-year-old ex-United star scored an impressive 121 times in 275 appearances for the Red Devils after he was signed from Newcastle United in 1995.
Cole was a prolific striking option for iconic former manager Sir Alex Ferguson and forged a formidable partnership with fellow United legend Dwight Yorke.
The former Three Lions international lifted five Premier League titles with United, including being an important part of the Red Devils’ iconic treble win in 1999.
Cole praises ‘underrated’ ex-Man Utd teammate
Andy Cole, who retired from football in 2008, left Old Trafford in 2001 after his playing time at Manchester United was limited under Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Premier League Hall of Famer went on to play for the likes of Blackburn Rovers, Fulham and Manchester City before calling it time on his glittering career.
Cole shared the pitch with a roster of star-studded talent during his Old Trafford playing career, including Roy Keane, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs.
Following his induction into the Hall of Fame, Cole sat down with the Premier League’s YouTube channel and was tasked with building his United XI from ex-teammates.
The former United striker picked fellow treble winner and Red Devils legend Jaap Stam in the heart of defence for his United XI.
Cole then picked the defensive partner to ‘complement’ Jaap Stam and went with none other than Ronny Johnsen, who is “very underrated” in his eyes.
“What complemented him [Jaap Stam] for me, when he was fit, was Ronny Johnsen,” he said.
“Very, very underrated – and I mean underrated. He was quick, strong, aggressive when he had to be.
“We used to call Ronny the ‘Iceman’ because after every game he would always have a bag of ice somewhere, so I’d have to complement him with the ‘Iceman.’
“Ronny was definitely ‘Iceman.’”
What did Ferguson say about Johnsen?
Ronny Johnsen was snapped up from Turkish side Besiktas by Ferguson after United signed him for a £1.2m transfer fee in 1996.
The 54-year-old Norwegian could play both as a centre-back and defensive midfielder, with Johnsen offering Ferguson with much-needed versatility on the pitch.
The United player made 150 appearances during his time at Old Trafford and was part of the Red Devils’ iconic treble-winning side in the 1998-99 season.
Johnsen, who lifted three Premier League titles, was in the heart of defence alongside Stam for the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich.
The Norway international played the full 90 minutes against Bayern Munich, as United staged their famous 2-1 comeback win at the Camp Nou in Barcelona.
Ferguson dropped the biggest praise on Johnsen, who left Old Trafford in 2002, when he named him as one of the three underrated players he managed at United.
Speaking to LADbible TV in 2021, he said: “There’s three players [who were underrated]. I can’t split them.
“Brian McClair, Ji-sung Park and Ronny Johnsen.”