• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Sir Alex Ferguson names the most 'annoying' player he faced in 26 years as Man Utd boss

Home> Football> Football News> Man Utd

Published 08:00 26 Feb 2025 GMT

Sir Alex Ferguson names the most 'annoying' player he faced in 26 years as Man Utd boss

The legendary former Red Devils boss was in no doubt when he named the opponent who got under his skin the most.

Luke Davies

Luke Davies

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson once named the opponent who ‘annoyed’ him the most during his 26-year reign at Old Trafford.

Ferguson, 83, saw his United side face some of the best teams European football had to offer – namely Lionel Messi’s Barcelona side, which defeated United in the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals.

During his 26-year reign as Red Devils boss, the Scot won 13 Premier League titles and competed mainly with Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City for domestic honours.

And it was a player from one of the aforementioned sides who got underneath Ferguson’s skin more than anyone else, but it may not be who you’d expect.

Given the furious rivalry between Arsenal and United in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, you may be thinking Ferguson was most annoyed by the likes of Martin Keown or Patrick Viera, but it was, in fact, a much more placid player.

Advert

“Now little [Gianfranco] Zola, he annoyed me,” Ferguson told Sky Sports.

“He was one of those players who was unperturbed about who he was playing against.

“He always seemed to have a smile on his face and that annoyed me. I said ‘how can he be enjoying himself playing against United? Nobody else does.’

Gianfranco Zola in action for Chelsea against Manchester United (Credit:Getty)
Gianfranco Zola in action for Chelsea against Manchester United (Credit:Getty)

Advert

“He was fantastic. Talented. Beautiful balance. Brave. I remember we played Chelsea in the FA Cup a couple of years ago in the treble. We got them in the early rounds, and we drew 0-0 at Old Trafford and I man-marked him. That’s how much respect I had for him.

“But he was a fantastic player. I loved watching him. He was enjoyable. That was the thing, for me to say that of an opponent tells you how much I admire them.”

Zola, 58, made 312 appearances for Chelsea between 1996 and 2003, a period in which he helped the Premier League side win two FA Cups, one League Cup, a Cup Winners’ Cup and UEFA Super Cup.

He returned to his native Italy - joining Cagliari in 2003 - before embarking on a career in management with West Ham United in 2008.

Advert

Spells in charge of Italy U-16s, Watford, Cagliari, Al-Arabi and Birmingham City followed before he returned to Chelsea as an assistant coach to Maurizio Sarri in 2018.

He left in the following year and has since been without a coaching role.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Chelsea, Premier League, FA Cup, Football

Luke Davies
Luke Davies

Journalist with expertise covering football - both in England and abroad - as well as combat sports.

X

@lukedaviesmedia

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Fans have their say as Cristiano Ronaldo beats Pele to make semi-final of G.O.A.T tournament
  • Sir Alex Ferguson opens up on the match that made him miss management as former Man Utd boss 'returns to dugout' after 12-year absence
  • Sir Alex Ferguson will finally get to work with player Man Utd told him he couldn't sign when he makes return to dugout
  • Man Utd transfer target was shot in the head after agreeing contract to play for Sir Alex Ferguson

Choose your content:

4 hours ago
5 hours ago
7 hours ago
  • 4 hours ago

    Ex-Chelsea wonderkid tipped to be 'football's next big thing' announces shock retirement from football

    The player made seven appearances for Chelsea and was once compared to Eden Hazard.

    Football
  • 5 hours ago

    Alexander Isak 'cut price tag' revealed as Liverpool deal with Newcastle 'in play'

    The Newcastle United forward has attracted interest from several top clubs this summer.

    Football
  • 7 hours ago

    Xabi Alonso has found the new Luka Modric for Real Madrid and it could be the signing of the summer

    The Real Madrid boss could be set to replace the veteran midfielder, who will leave the club later this summer.

    Football
  • 7 hours ago

    Odds slashed on Lionel Messi's next club as clear favourite emerges after huge news drops on Inter Miami star's future

    Lionel Messi has been linked with a move away from Inter Miami.

    Football