ALEX FERGUSON said: "Denis was my hero. I idolised 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!'
"He epitomised 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 - Roy Keane
DEFENDER Jonny Evans said: "I reckon 80 per cent of young players who supported Manchester United when they were growing up would tell you that Roy Keane was their hero - just because of the way he was and the character he is.
"Keano was an awesome player - and an incredible leader."
Gary Neville - Bryan Robson
CLUB skipper Gary Neville explained: "I always thought Bryan Robson 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. Blood, guts and thunder - with real class as well."
John O'Shea - Paul McGrath
MIDFIELDER John O'Shea said: "Paul McGrath was a big favourite.
"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 on the ball. He was a special player."
Ben Foster - Peter Schmeichel
KEEPER Ben Foster said: "Peter Schmeichel was a cut above the rest in his era and changed the face of goalkeeping.
"I still try to model myself on him and use aspects of his game in mine.
"He produced some truly unbelievable saves. I still watch them on YouTube."
Anderson - Rivaldo
MIDFIELDER Anderson goes for fellow Brazil playmaker Rivaldo.
He said: "His passing and his aggressive way of playing was great.
"I'm definitely a big admirer of his technique."
Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs, Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney - Maradona
DEFENDER Rio Ferdinand said: "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."
Midfielder Ryan Giggs added: "I always used to look out for left-footers and John Barnes and Maradona were always the ones that I looked up to when I was a kid.
"I remember Maradona in the 1986 World Cup. He was such a great player. That goal he scored against England - not the Hand of God goal - was absolutely amazing."
Hitman Carlos Tevez added: "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 I have a really, genuinely warm bond with him."
And fellow striker Wayne 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."
Dimitar Berbatov - Ivan Berbatov, Marco van Basten and Alan Shearer
STRIKER Dimitar Berbatov names a trio of heroes, Ivan Berbatov, Marco van Basten and Alan Shearer.
He said: "My father Ivan taught me so I've lots to thank him for. When you hear the other names you don't need to be told why they were great."
Michael Carrick - Peter Beardsley, Gazza and Ian Wright
MIDFIELDER Michael Carrick selects Peter Beardsley, Gazza and Ian Wright.
He said: "I loved the way Beardo played the game. Gascoigne was an absolute genius.
"Wright I enjoyed watching more for his goal celebrations."
Source : Inside United
STRIKER Dimitar Berbatov names a trio of heroes, Ivan Berbatov, Marco van Basten and Alan Shearer.
He said: "My father Ivan taught me so I've lots to thank him for. When you hear the other names you don't need to be told why they were great."
Michael Carrick - Peter Beardsley, Gazza and Ian Wright
MIDFIELDER Michael Carrick selects Peter Beardsley, Gazza and Ian Wright.
He said: "I loved the way Beardo played the game. Gascoigne was an absolute genius.
"Wright I enjoyed watching more for his goal celebrations."
Source : Inside United
