Sir Jim Ratcliffe reveals who Sir Alex Ferguson told him is the BEST player he ever coached… but he’s NOT the ‘most naturally gifted player’ the Ineos chief has ever seen at Man United

Sir Alex Ferguson worked with some of the finest players in Manchester United’s history – but one stands out above the rest. 

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who sealed his £1.3billion minority takeover at Old Trafford at the end of last year, gets on well with Ferguson and the topic of the best player the Scot has ever coached came up.

Ferguson helped to develop the famed Class of ’92 – which included Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Paul Scholes – as well as transform a teenage Wayne Rooney into the club’s all-time leading goalscorer. 

But Ratcliffe, speaking to Geraint Thomas on his Cycling Club podcast, said one player, in the eyes of Ferguson, stands out. 

‘I once asked Sir Alex Ferguson who was the best player you ever coached and that was Cristiano Ronaldo,’ he said. 

Ratcliffe once asked Ferguson who the greatest player he ever coached at Man United was

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Ronaldo has been open about the fact he saw Ferguson as a crucial father figure in his life in the past and the pair remain close to this day. 

Asked by Thomas if Ronaldo is the greatest player in Man United‘s history, Ratcliffe has a few contenders.

‘It’s probably Ronaldo,’ he said. ‘I remember Bobby Charlton a bit and he was the legend at Manchester United. 

‘George Best is probably the most naturally gifted player I’ve ever seen play football.’

With Ratcliffe and his Ineos team looking to help United close the gap on title-chasing Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool in the next few years, Ferguson is a welcome ally for the petrochemicals billionaire.  

The answer was Cristiano Ronaldo, who transformed into a global superstar at Old Trafford

Ratcliffe (right) was speaking to cycling star Geraint Thomas (middle) on the rider’s podcast

‘I had dinner with him the first time I met seven or eight years ago, the League Managers’ Association dinner,’ Ratcliffe explained.

‘He was the first person I went to see [when the takeover was signed]. We signed a deal on Christmas Eve at 4pm after about one-and-a-half years of trying! 

‘We went up to Manchester on about January 2 and Sir Alex was the first person Dave [Brailsford] and I went to see at his home.

‘We were there from about 9-10am but left at 1pm. He’s very thoughtful about the club is Alex.

‘You have to pinch yourselves occasionally. Alex takes his time with people but we have a very engaging conversation. I enjoy his company, he’s good company, and he’s very thoughtful about the club.’