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 has worked with some of the best players in Manchester United’s history, but one stands out above the rest.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who sealed his £1.3bn minority buyout at Old Trafford late last year, gets on well with Ferguson and the subject of the best player the Scot has ever coached has been addressed.

Ferguson helped develop the famous class of 1992, which included Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Paul Scholes, as well as turning teenager Wayne Rooney into the club’s all-time top scorer.

But Ratcliffe, speaking to Geraint Thomas on his Cycling Club podcast, said one player, in Ferguson’s eyes, stood out.

“I once asked Sir Alex Ferguson who was the best player you ever coached and it was Cristiano Ronaldo,” he said.

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

When asked if Ronaldo is the greatest player in Man United history, Ratcliffe has a few contenders.

“It’s probably Ronaldo,” he said. “I remember a little bit about Bobby Charlton and he was THE legend at Manchester United.

“George Best is probably the most naturally gifted player I have ever seen play football.”

As Ratcliffe and his Ineos team look to help United close the gap on Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool in the coming years, Ferguson is a welcome ally for the petrochemical billionaire.

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

“He was the first person I went to see (when the buyout was signed). We signed a deal on Christmas Eve at 4pm after about a year and a half of trying!

“We went to Manchester around January 2 and Sir Alex was the first person Dave (Brailsford) and I went to see at his house.

“We were there from about 9 to 10 a.m., but we left at 1 p.m. He thinks a lot about the club, that’s Alex.

“You have to pinch yourself from time to time. Alex takes his time with people but we have a very engaging conversation. I enjoy his company, he is good company and he is very caring about the club.