Manchester United have been heavily linked with a move for former World Player of the Year Kaka of late, however Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed his favourite Champions League player as AC Milan’s Paulo Maldini.
The Scot told the Independent: “When I think of the current generation, Lionel Messi is top-level, and although he has never taken my breath away, Kaka has impressed, Zinedine Zidane was brilliant but without a doubt, Paolo Maldini has been my favorite.”
“He has a wonderful presence, competitive spirit, athleticism, and although not the world's greatest technically, he has influenced all the AC Milan teams during his wonderfully successful era.”
In addition to pinpointing Maldini, Ferguson identified his side’s 7-1 win against Roma as his favourite match in the Champions League.
He said: “'Without a doubt, the 7-1 victory over Roma at Old Trafford in the quarter-final of the 2006-07 Champions League was the best.”
“It was a record score for the quarter-finals. We went into that game against a top Italian side that had beaten us 2-1 in the first leg. Our first-half performance was out of this world, and Luciano Spalletti’s team were shell-shocked because our quick, one-touch play was exceptionally good.”
“Some of our goals were brilliant, in particular the fluid, one-touch play leading to the strike by Alan Smith.”
“That game certainly stands out. As does the 3-3 draw away to FC Barcelona, which should have ended up 20-20 the way both teams attacked.”
