ALEX FERGUSON snubbed Wayne Rooney in his list of world-class greats.
The retired Manchester United boss only named FOUR stars as being worthy of the highest status in his book Leading.
Rooney, who Fergie fell out with over a long-standing contract row, was put behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes in the pecking order.
Roy Keane — another star to have a major bust-up with the fiery Scotsman during his time at Old Trafford — was also overlooked.
Fergie, 79, wrote: “In my book there are only two world-class players playing today: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I don’t mean to demean or criticise any of the great or very good footballers who played for me during my 26-year career at United, but there were only four who were world class: Cantona, Giggs, Ronaldo and Scholes.
“And of the four, Cristiano was like an ornament on the top of a Christmas tree.”
According to Ferguson, England captains Rooney and David Beckham, Keane, Carlos Tevez, Rio Ferdinand and Peter Schmeichel were all “great players”.
But his top quartet “elevated themselves above all that”.
Fergie also tipped Giggs to follow him and be an Old Trafford gaffer.
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Wayne Rooney’s playing career
Wayne Rooney has retired from playing after an illustrious 19-year career.
Games Goals
Everton (2002-04) 77 17
Man Utd (2004-17) 559 253
Everton (2017-18) 40 11
D.C United (2018-20) 52 25
Derby (2020) 35 7
TOTAL 763 313
International
England (2003-18) 120 53
The 47-year-old is currently in charge of the Wales national team and had a spell as Man Utd interim boss in 2014.
Fergie added: “Ryan is eventually going to be a great manager — he has intelligence, presence and knowledge.
“Had he retired in his mid-30s, rather than when he was 40, there is every chance he would have been my assistant in my final five years at Manchester United.”
Speaking when Giggs was understudy to Louis Van Gaal from 2014 to 2016, he added: “I think Ryan seems to enjoy that he is learning off a man with great experience. It’s working.
“There is good communication with [Louis van Gaal].
“Ryan’s working very hard and picking up things from a foreign coach, which is different from the way I operated, so it looks as if it’s going OK.
“Louis made a great choice because of Ryan’s knowledge, his time at the club and his ability.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
