Manchester United: Ranking the Top 10 Teenagers Sir Alex Ferguson has Nurtured

On August 19 1995, at the start of the Premier League Season, BBC soccer pundit Alan Hansen said, "you'll never win anything with kids."

In trying to pick the 'Top Ten Teenagers Sir Alex Ferguson Has Nurtured,' it is inevitable that the six players Hansen was talking about will be considered. 'Fergie's Babes' went on to win a magnificent treble in 1999: the UEFA Champions League, the Premier League, and the FA Cup. Of those, only one is still playing at United, and he's the oldest—Ryan Giggs.

Sir Alex has always had talent at his disposal, and he has used it well. Not surprisingly, nine of the players we have chosen are mature professionals, some of whom have retired. The tenth may become a modern legend this year.

Among the "near misses" are Lee Sharpe, John O'Shea, Wes Brown and Ben Foster. With the exception of O'Shea, it could be said the others never quite fulfilled their potential. John, however, has been acknowledged by Sir Alex as one of the most valuable players ever at his disposal, simply because he could be played almost anywhereincluding in goal!

Because of the difficulty of comparing future potential with proven ability, we shall finish off with a future ten teenage superstars nurtured by Sir Alex.

Ranking the ten established players was not easy, with the exception of number one...

1 Paul Scholes

For many people, Zinedine Zidane was one of the greatest ever. Here's what he says:

“Paul Scholes is still in a class of his own. He’s almost untouchable in what he does. I never tire of watching him play. You rarely come across the complete footballer, but Scholes is as close to it as you can get...undoubtedly the greatest midfielder of his generation.”

He was born in Salford, a stone's throw from Old Trafford and joined Manchester United aged 14, stayng for his entire playing career. He made his debut for the first team in 1994/5 and was a member of the treble-winning team in 1999.

When he retired earlier this year, he had played 676 times for United and 66 for England. He would undoubtedly have had many more caps had he not retired from international football at 30. Indeed Fabio Capello nearly persuaded him to return for the 2010 World Cup.

One of his idols was Sir Bobby Charlton, whose style of play he often resembles, being genuinely two-footed and a good header of the ball.

There isn't room for the multitude of testimonies he has received, but in 2009, Xavi said: ‘In the last 15 to 20 years the best central midfielder that I have seen — the most complete — is Scholes." Praise indeed.

2 Ryan Giggs

Ryan Giggs is one of two Manchester United players widely touted to be a knight of the realm, the other being David Beckham.

Although recognised as one of 'Fergie's Babes,' he was already established in the first team when the other five were promoted. He is also the oldest.

Many people rate him the greatest player in the English Premier League. When he came on as substitute against Tottenham, he was the only player to feature in all 20 years of the League's existence.

Despite being signed up for the Manchester City School of Excellence, United signed him in 1987, aged 14. He turned professional at 17 and was widely regarded as the best prospect in English football since George Best. Ironically, although he captained England schoolboys in 1989, he decided to play for Wales as a full international and may be the best player England never had.

The accolades for Giggs are endless. By the end of this season, he may reach 900 appearances for United. So far he has 33 major trophies, including 12 in the Premier League. He is also the club's longest serving player ever.

Possessed with great skill, he has maintained tremendous fitness since taking up yoga. He will be 38 in November but is still delivering for the first team, and not even he knows when he will retire.

3 Cristiano Ronaldo

On my wall, I have a collage entitled "7 Heaven," featuring the greatest players ever to wear the number seven United shirt. While Eric Cantona and David Beckham will each have their advocates, the best of them all was Cristiano Ronaldo.

Perhaps the only things that make people hesitate in agreeing are his diving and the fact that he only stayed for six years.

It is said that after the 'string bean' Ronaldo tore United to shreds in a friendly against Sporting Lisbon, the players implored Ferguson to sign him, which Sir Alex duly did for £12m. As is so often the case, he was put on a body building programme and is now a magnificent athlete.

During his time at United, he developed from being a rangy winger to one of the greatest finishers in the world. While Ferguson must sometimes have wondered where to play him, in 2007/8 he scored 42 goals in 49 appearances.

Some may have doubted whether he was worth £80m when sold to Real Madrid, but he went on to smash records by scoring an astonishing 53 goals in 54 games in 2010/11 and a total so far of 87 in 91.

Many will compare him to George Best, but he is genuinely two-footed, is a strong header of the ball and a brilliant taker of free kicks, as well as his wing exploits. He must rank among the most complete attacking players of all time.

4 Wayne Rooney

Like Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne's career is barely halfway through. Having already played 325 times for Manchester United and 70 times for England at only 25, he too could go on to smash records.

He was a footballing prodigy at Everton, as the second youngest debutant ever and the youngest goalscorer at the age of 16. He was the youngest ever player and goalscorer for England at 17.

It is said that Sir Alex missed him when he was very young, but he got his man for £25.6m at only 18. Although this can now clearly be seen as money well spent, the relationship has not been without its trials.

These culminated with Rooney's threat to leave the club last season, since when he has publicly committed to remain for the rest of his career.

He may have had a chequered time off the pitch but now, fully restored to his sharpest form, he seems destined to be pivotal to United's success for the next five or ten years.

It will be interesting to see how he is used after Paul Scholes' departure. Rooney is prepared to play wherever the boss asks him, and If Wesley Sneijder does not arrive, it will be interesting to see whether Wayne remains in the original Scholes 'number ten' role, playing behind the lead striker.

Tireless on the pitch, he seems to crop up wherever needed. Although he has reined back some of his tackling following foot injuries, he is still more than adequate and can hit a defence splitting pass as well as score goals, currently 149 in 325 appearances.

He must surely be a candidate to succeed Vidic as captain.

5 David Beckham

This photo sums up David Beckham's ability. He, as much as anyone, benefited from his apprenticeship at Old Trafford.

A lifelong supporter of Manchester United, he first came to their attention when attending a Bobby Charlton football school in Manchester, although he didn't sign schoolboy forms until his 14th birthday.

His father says that from an early age, David was always wanting to practice football, so Ted offered him a cash reward every time he put the ball into a small square in the top corner of the goal.

It is no wonder that he went on to become in many people's estimation the best passer of a ball in the world. His trademark free kicks have also produced many iconic moments, such as the goal that took England to the World Cup in the final Group match against Greece in 2001. This probably reinstated him as a hero after he had been sent off against Argentina in the previous World Cup, ending England's chances.

His first team debut for United was in 1992, aged 17, but he was not a regular until the 1994/5 season. In total he played 394 times for United, scoring 87 goals. He was one of 'Fergie's kids' coming from the FA Youth Cup winning side and winning the Champions League in 1999.

He left United for Real Madrid in 2003, going on to play for Milan and LA Galaxy. He has 657 appearances in first class football as well as a record 115 for England, including 17 goals.

Apart from the events mentioned earlier, he will be best remembered by many people for scoring a goal from halfway against Wimbledon in 1996.

6 Gary Neville

It is no surprise that all of 'Fergie's Kids' are included in the top ten teenagers that Sir Alex Ferguson has nurtured. In some respects, it is easier to select these, because they are approaching the end of a long and successful career or have already retired.

While it may have come as a surprise that Gary Neville 'hung up his boots' last season together with Paul Scholes, he was never possessed of great pace, and as his body aged, his legs were no longer able to get him out of trouble.

Not everybody's favourite footballer, he has joined United's coaching staff and is a football pundit for Sky Sports. He has always been eloquent and thoughtful about football and was the 'union boss' as well as team captain, often looking after the interests of younger players.

At times during his career, he was regarded among the top full-backs in the world—tough and uncompromising in the tackle and constantly raiding down the wing.

Along with his younger brother Phil, he came through the Academy ranks, signing as an apprentice when he left school in 1991. He is one of an elite group  of 'one-club men' who have played for United, debuting at only 17 in 1992 after captaining the FA Youth Cup winning side.

As well as 400 appearances for United, he played 85 times for England.

7 Phil Neville

Sir Alex Ferguson has gone on record as admitting that he may have let Phil Neville leave Manchester United too early.

He started training with United with his brother Gary before joining as a trainee and debuted in 1995 as a 17-year-old. In total, he made 386 appearances for United, which is as much as anything a testament to his versatility. He was prepared to play as either full-back and was particularly useful as a defensive midfield.

He probably left to get more first team opportunities and his decision has been vindicated with a further 263 games for Everton, where he is the club captain. He has also played 59 times for England.

8 Nicky Butt

The final member of 'Fergie's Fledglings' to make this line-up is Nicky Butt.

Again, it may be that he left Manchester United too early for similar reasons to Phil Neville. After 387 appearances, he has gone on to make a further 214 at the highest level and is currently playing for South China, having previously been Newcastle United's captain for a spell.

Like Phil also, Butt was at his best as a defensive midfield but also was a more than useful creative player. He too was tough and uncompromising in the tackle.

Born and brought up in Manchester, he too came through the youth team ranks before making his first team debut in 1992, again aged 17.

It is unarguable that, but for the presence of Paul Ince and then Roy Keane, he would have played far more times for United. It is a testimony to his ability and determination from an early age that he was able to force himself into the first team and remain as a regular from such a young age.

He also played 39 times for England.

9 Darren Fletcher

Although relatively few of Manchester United's current squad have made this top ten selection, this is partly because of the sextet that Alan Hansen wrote off immediately after they became a fixture in the first team and partly because some of the teenagers Sir Alex has nurtured are only part way through their career.

Darren Fletcher was, for a long time, far from being the most popular player at United. He used to regularly get stick from the fans, who couldn't understand why Sir Alex had so much faith in him.

The irony is that as all this abuse was happening, Darren had not only established himself as a regular in the Scottish international team, (winning 53 caps so far) but had also become their captain.

He joined United as a youth player aged 11 and may also go on to become a 'one club man.' He made his debut in 2001 aged 17 and has 292 appearances to date. Assuming he recovers full fitness, he will surely remain an integral part of the team for several more years.

It is hugely to his credit that he has silenced all the doubters in recent years to the extent that his absence has been cited as a major reason why United did not beat Barcelona in the Champions League in 2009.

Fletcher can play as both a defensive and attacking midfielder and has also been used at right back. He has recently been suffering from a mystery virus that has seen him absent from the first team for months and it is to be hoped that he makes a full recovery, as nobody else adequately fills the defensive midfield position.

10 Anderson

Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira, otherwise known as Anderson, is something of an enigma. Hugely popular with both fans and players at Manchester United, he has only recently established himself as a first choice at Old Trafford.

Before breaking his leg while at FC Porto, he was widely regarded as one of the most talented teenagers in the world. There were some who doubted he would fully recover from his injury, but Sir Alex once again backed his judgement, signing Anderson in 2007 just after his 19th birthday.

This was no real risk based on ability, as he had made his debut for Gremio aged just 16 and went on to make 19 first team appearances that year.

Shortly after joining United, he made his first appearance for the Brazil national side.

There is no doubt he is a highly skilled footballer whose only aberration before last season was his singular inability to score goals. He could thump them in for fun while training but, like Diego Forlan, struggled to score for the first team.

Nevertheless it is testimony to his ability to influence a game that he has already played 132 games for United. He will surely now become a fixture.

It is greatly to Sir Alex's credit that he has never lost faith in the player, who has added tackling to his ball skills. He has also become very fit and strong, becoming almost impossible to dislodge from the ball, whether through skill or strength.

If he stays at United, he is surely destined to become one of the greats.

The Next Ten

Everybody will have their own opinions on who should make the top ten. Many of them will come as no surprise.

It is also too early to judge how good some of the young players will become. Jonny Evans would certainly make some people's list.

Whatever your views, this season has yet again confirmed Sir Alex Ferguson's magic touch in finding and producing young players of the highest quality, but more important, giving them the chance to shine at a tender age. Long may it continue.

So to satisfy some more readers, here is the suggested list of the next ten, many of whom may appear in a similar article in ten years time.

Fabio; Rafael; Phil Jones; Paul Pogba; Jonny Evans; Danny Welbeck; Tom Cleverley; Ravel Morrison; Federico Macheda; William Keane.