Ranking the 5 greatest players coached by Sir Alex Ferguson

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#3 Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo and Sir Alex Ferguson applaud the fans.

Sir Alex Ferguson is perhaps the most important figure in Cristiano Ronaldo's fairytale journey from a skinny teenager to one of the best players in history.

The Scottish coach signed Ronaldo in 2003 from Sporting Lisbon for £17million. At the time, the 18-year-old was a raw prospect, with a penchant for flair and flashy dribbling. Ferguson worked on the Portuguese forward's game, which culminated in the 2008 Ballon d'Or award. By the time Ronaldo left Old Trafford in 2009, he was the most dangerous attacking force in the game.

Cristiano Ronaldo played 293 games under Sir Alex Ferguson, scoring 118 goals and providing 69 assists. He won three Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, an FA Cup, two League Cups, two Community Shields and a FIFA Club World Cup during that period. The Portuguese was also United's Player of the Year for back-to-back seasons between 2006 and 2008.

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#2 Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney is Manchester United's all-time leading goalscorer.

Manchester United and England's record goalscorer, Wayne Rooney, personified the fire and desire Sir Alex Ferguson expected from his teams. One of the greatest strikers in history, Rooney was an integral and versatile part of Ferguson's stacked United teams of the 2000s.

Signed from Everton for over £30million as a teenager in 2004, Rooney made rapid and remarkable progress under the Scottish coach. The Englishman played 401 games for Ferguson, with a stunning return of 197 goals and 99 assists.

Together, the duo won five Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, a FIFA Club World Cup, three League Cups and three Community Shields. Rooney was also Manchester United's Player of the Year for 2009-10.

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#1 Ryan Giggs

Ryan Giggs is one of the greatest players in the club's history.

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has been in the news for all the wrong reasons in recent years. Despite the off-field controversies, though, there is no doubt he is one of the greatest players in Red Devils' history.

The Welshman spent nearly 23 years at the club (his entire playing career) after making his first-team debut in 1991. He racked up an astonishing 923 appearances under Sir Alex Ferguson, scoring 164 goals and providing 246 assists. A pacy winger in his younger days, Giggs evolved into a clever veteran with an eye for a cross as the years went by.

The midfielder was a constant presence at Old Trafford under Ferguson and hung up his boots in 2014, just a year after the legendary manager's retirement. Giggs won 13 Premier League titles, nine Community Shields, four FA Cups, four League Cups, two Champions League crowns, a Club World Cup, a UEFA Super Cup and an Intercontinental Cup under Ferguson.