Denis Irwin and Quinton Fortune, two players from the Manchester United assembly line of footballers, were of the opinion that only Sir Alex Ferguson could determine the length of his tenure as manager.
“He can carry on as long as he wants. Sir Alex knows each and every player, I mean not just the main team.
Passion
“Even now he comes on Saturday mornings and afternoons to watch the development squads and is aware of players. At his age, his passion for football and Manchester United is remarkable,” said South African midfielder Fortune, bought from Athletico Madrid and who went on to become a pillar in Manchester United's defence.
Talking about Ferguson's influence on players, Irwin mentioned United's comeback to hold Chelsea 3-3 in the Premier League as an example.
“It is the quality he infuses in the players. Coming back against Chelsea after being three down is remarkable. The next game against Liverpool is going to be tough,” said Irwin, known for a 12-year stint under him from 1990 to 2002.
The duo made an appearance at the Cooperage ground on Wednesday where the Barclays Cup, currently in Manchester United's possession, was on display.
Fortune and Irwin were asked to explain England's struggle to win world titles, against the background of a flourishing Premier League back home.
Foreigner effect
“I have no doubt the Premier League is the most popular, but you must understand that the best club players in EPL are almost all foreigners,” said Irwin.
The foreigner effect is seen in the EPL champion club's coaching philosophy too, with Manchester United Soccer School (MUSS) head coach Chris O'Brien mentioning the ‘Nani' way of dribbling as inspiration for kids to follow.
MUSS's arrival at the Cooperage football stadium heralds the EPL champion club's entry into India. O'Brien, as head coach of the Mumbai project, is looking forward to making kids familiar with the ‘Manchester United Way' of learning football.
“The coaching model here will be the model we follow in England. Training will be skill-specific during the week, like learning to dribble the Nani way.”
Training will be thrice a week with matches on weekends to make kids understand how skills taught in training are executed in competition.
