Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, and his senior players have named the playing legends of the past that they most admire.

Manager and players spoke to Inside United, the official club magazine, about the men who inspired them in their footballing careers. Some have chosen Old Trafford heroes, while others went for international stars. One even chose a Liverpool player.

Sir Alex went for a United legend and a fellow Scot. “Denis Law was my hero as a player. I idolized him. When I first met him I was so excited. It was at a game in Paris, he had played in the first half and we went for a cup of tea afterwards. I thought: ‘This is it, I’ve made it, I’m having a cup of tea with Denis Law!’ For me, he epitomized everything a Scotsman is about. He was daring and courageous, he had that bravado about him and he had style. He was a truly fantastic footballer.”

Jonny Evans, the defender, chooses ex-captain Roy Keane. “I reckon 80 per cent of young players who supported Manchester United when they were growing up would tell you Keano was their hero, just because of the way he was and the character he is. Keano was an awesome player and an incredible leader. I watched the Treble season as an 11-year-old in Belfast having supported United all my life, and can still see those images in my head of the Champions League semi-final against Juventus and how Keane totally changed the game. He grabbed the match by the scruff of the neck even though he knew he was suspended for the final.”

Gary Neville, the club captain, names Bryan Robson as his hero. “I always thought he was everything that a United player should be, and I still do. Even when I watch footage of him in action now, I always think of him giving everything for the cause at the defensive end of the pitch and then throwing everything at the ball to get it in the back of the net at the other end. Blood, guts and thunder, with real class as well. Don’t get me wrong - you've got to have skilful players like Giggs, Scholes, Cantona and all of those, but for me growing up it was always the Bryan Robson type player that I loved.”

John O’Shea went for a versatile Irishman: “Paul McGrath was a big favourite at United, but I watched him when he played for Ireland too. What I liked about him was he was as comfortable playing in midfield as he was at centre back. It wasn’t a problem to him. He was the versatile type. And not only did he have great ability, he was also very calm of the ball. He was a special player and someone who I admired.”

Rio Ferdinand, Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney all go for Diego Maradona.

Rio says: “My inspiration to play football was probably Diego Maradona. He’s the first memory I have of someone doing something really great. I had all his videos and loved watching him. He was a great player – a great team player and a great individual player. In my eyes he’s the best. Maradona came down to Carrington to watch us train last season and we were all like school kids around him! I think the gaffer might like him to come down every day given the way it raised everyone’s standards – we were all trying to impress him! We were all clamouring to get pictures taken with him and it was nice to shake his hand and get a cuddle off him. It made my day.”

Tevez said: “Maradona is the greatest player of all time. Diego, for all Argentinians, is God. And he always will be. I have a great relationship with Diego. My family also has a great relationship with his family and a I have a really, genuinely warm bond with him. The first time I met him was a Sunday afternoon and Boca Juniors had just drawn 2-2 with San Lorenzo. I went to a TVF show afterwards and he was also appearing as a guest. What can I say? It was just a fantastic feeling to meet el Diego, the man. It was incredible for someone who grew up worshipping him!”

Rooney said: “My favourite player is Maradona. I’ve watched lots of videos of him in action and I just love the way he played. In my eyes he’s the best player of all time.”

Ryan Giggs picked Maradona but also John Barnes of Liverpool. “I always used to look out for left footers and John Barnes and Diego Maradona were always the ones that I looked up to when I was a kid. Barnes because he played in the same position as me – whenever Liverpool played United in the 80’s I’d watch John Barnes pretty closely. During that period, at the end of the late 1980’s he was probably the best and most exciting player in Britain. And Maradona just because he was such a great player. I remember Maradona in the 1986 World Cup. That goal he scored against England – not that Hand of God goal – was absolutely amazing.”

Anderson chose fellow-Brazilians: “I’ve always been a big admirer of Rivaldo for his technique, his passing and his aggressive way of playing an I’m a huge fan of Ronaldinho. They are both excellent with the ball at their feet – the way they treat the ball is fantastic. I’m sure they will be remembered in football history for many years to come.”