The story goes that despite Manchester United’s success this season and the treble winners’ feats in 1999, Fergie’s first Old Trafford love was the 1994 vintage. A team of granite strength and molten ambition, their success has grown with time. Now they aren’t just Sir Alex’s first double winners, but many have gone on to management – surely a tribute to Fergie’s coaching at United.  

Mark Hughes has just taken on the role of manager at Manchester City, adding yet more spice to a rivalry between the two Manchester sides that up until a season ago, was regarded as laughable by many a haughty Red. Add to this Steve Bruce at Wigan and Roy Keane at Sunderland – two managers who would love to take six points off their former manager – as well as the possibility that Paul Ince may take over at Blackburn, and you have numerous master and apprentice match-ups. The potential meet-up between Fergie and Ince, the man whose “Guv’nor” tag rubbed Sir Alex the wrong way, would be especially fascinating.

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery then Ferguson can be assured that many of the 1994 crop still see him as an idol. He may face as many as four members of the 1994 side in the managerial dugouts next season. So, Ferguson included, FIVE members of the 1994 Manchester United set-up could be involved in next season’s Premier League. That's five teams – a quarter of all those involved. It would be quite an achievement.

‘The potential meet-up between Fergie and Ince, the man whose “Guv’nor” tag rubbed Sir Alex the wrong way, would be especially fascinating’


Predicting who will go into management is notoriously difficult, and although the ’94 side was eclipsed in terms of success by the ’99 team, the afterglow of Fergie’s favourite United vintage will yet again be resplendent in Premier League dugouts.

Arsene Wenger’s legacy at Arsenal may be of a steadfast attachment to his aesthetic footballing principles, but Fergie has crafted his name on the Premier League rock face for years to come, through his many disciples. It is fitting that as whispers begin to grow about the possibility of Fergie’s retirement, his former students, who not so long ago wilted as players, are beginning to flourish as managers.