Iconic former Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson surprised a Manchester United legend when he made him captain ahead of three incredibly talented former players.
Sir Alex Ferguson enjoyed incredible success during his legendary 26-year spell in the Old Trafford dugout as Manchester United manager.
A key part of Ferguson’s success at the Premier League side was the United legends who ascended to the status of club captaincy under him.
Ferguson had a roster of star-studded talent who wore the armband on a permanent basis, including Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic and Eric Cantona.
The 82-year-old Scotsman, who is widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time, had a long-lasting impact after his spells in England and Scotland.
Ferguson called it time on his legendary managerial career in 2013 after he led United to their last Premier League title at the end of the 2012-13 season.
During his time at Old Trafford, the former Aberdeen and United boss led the Red Devils to 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies.
Ferguson, who also lifted five FA Cups and four League Cups with United, was also the first manager to lead an English club to a continental treble.
Ferguson made Man Utd legend a captain
Different Manchester United players in the past wore the captain’s armband when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge, despite not being the permanent skipper at the club.
Patrice Evra was among the United players who had the chance to wear the armband, with the Frenchman enjoying an impressive period under Ferguson.
The 43-year-old arrived in the same transfer window as fellow United legend Nemanja Vidic, with the Red Devils signing Patrice Evra from Monaco in 2006.
Evra spent the majority of his Old Trafford playing spell under Ferguson and lifted five Premier League titles, a Champions League and three League Cups.
The former United defender admitted that he “couldn’t believe” when he was handed the armband ahead of Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville.
Speaking to The Times of India, Evra said: “You know, when I was named the captain of Manchester United, I couldn’t believe it because there were players like Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, but Alex Ferguson made me the captain.
“The job of a leader is to create other leaders around yourself.”
Man Utd legend Evra on France captaincy
Evra was capped 81 times for his country and the United legend wore the captain’s armband during his spell with the France national team.
The former France international was asked if Kylian Mbappe is ‘too young’ to have the captain’s armband after he succeeded Hugo Lloris in 2023.
Speaking ahead of Euro 2024, Evra said: “It’s politics. Let’s be very clear there.
“I’ve been captain of the national team and when things go right, everyone says you are a great leader.
“When things go wrong, trust me, everyone wants to destroy you. Mbappe too must face this. I think Mbappe’s age doesn’t matter anymore.
“If you got the quality and the personality, you could do the job. You saw the way Mbappe handled his transfer situation [to Real Madrid]. He scored even in his last game for PSG.”