Sir Alex Ferguson believes Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were the two best players in Europe during a key period of his Manchester United reign.
The pair helped Manchester United dominate English football between 2004 and 2009, winning three successive Premier League titles. Their partnership also played a major role in the club’s European success, including the Champions League triumph over Chelsea in Moscow in 2008.
“At that period, those two — I think — were the best in Europe,” Ferguson told Sky Sports.
“I really do. It was a fantastic period for us. We went on to win the European Cup in 2008 in Moscow.”
Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney developed into a formidable attacking partnership after coming together at United, combining for 104 Premier League goals across three successful seasons.
Ferguson Still Remembers Ronaldo and Rooney’s Bolton Goal
One of the goals that remains particularly memorable for Ferguson came against Bolton, when Ronaldo and Rooney combined in a brilliant counter-attack.
Ferguson recalled how the move developed from United’s own half, with the two players repeatedly exchanging passes before Ronaldo eventually chipped the goalkeeper.
“That a wee squat guy from Liverpool, and a fresh young boy, six-foot-two kid from Portugal can combine like they did in that particular game is fantastic,” Ferguson said.
“We sort of scuffed it clear, it went to Ronaldo, he passed it to Wayne, Wayne passed it back, [Ronaldo] passed it back. They were jigsaw-ing right up the pitch.”
During their time together, Ronaldo and Rooney won three Premier League titles, the Champions League, two League Cups and the Club World Cup. Ronaldo’s individual achievements in 2008 also included the Ballon d’Or and European Golden Boot.
