SIR ALEX FERGUSON fielded three Irish internationals during his first game in charge of Manchester United 27 years ago.
Ferguson – who announced his retirement this morning (May 8) – named Kevin Moran, Paul McGrath and Frank Stapleton in his starting line-up for the United team that lost 2-0 to Oxford United in November 1986.
Over his tenure at United he called on a number of Irish players to represent the club, including: Frank Stapleton (1986 – 1987); Kevin Moran (1986 – 1988); Paul McGrath (1986 – 1989); Norman Whiteside (1986-1989); Derek Brazil (1986 – 1992); Liam O'Brien (1986 – 1988); Denis Irwin (1990 – 2002); Roy Keane (1993 – 2005); Keith Gillespie (1993-1995); (John O'Shea (1999 – 2011); David Healy (1999-2001); Roy Carroll (2001-2005); Liam Miller (2004 – 2006); Darron Gibson (2004 – 2012); Jonny Evans (2006- ); Michael Keane (2009 -)
We’ve chosen our top three Irish players to have played under Ferguson:
Roy Keane:
Fergie’s representative on the pitch and regarded as perhaps his finest signing
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Denis Irwin:
Mr Reliable – rarely had a bad game under Fergusson and led by example
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John O’Shea:
Played in virtually every position for United – including goalkeeper!
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