What they say...

Chicha's respect for boss

Javier Hernandez thinks Sir Alex never gets tired of winning as his enthusiasm for the game is keeping him motoring into his 26th year as United manager.

The Mexico international admits such longevity is unheard of in his homeland and he has nothing but admiration for the boss - who started his Old Trafford tenure before Chicharito was born.

"He's completely different," explained Hernandez to Inside United. "You can't compare him to anybody else. What's impressed me most about him, and this is something I noticed from the first day I met him, is that he's a very simple person.

"You can talk about all the things he's won and all the years he's been in charge but you wouldn't know it if you watched him on the bench. Every game looks like it's his first game for him. He's so excited, so enthusiastic - he wants to win so much. That is key: he will never get bored of winning and he enjoys what he does.

"He's also a really nice man. Every day he'll ask me how I'm feeling, whether I'm okay, whether I need anything. He's just an unbelievable person and he doesn't treat you differently whether you're on the pitch or off the pitch. He recognises that first you are a human being and then you are a football player. He knows that if you're doing okay in your personal life then you'll be okay in your profession."

When asked if there was any kind of equivalent to Sir Alex in Mexico, Chicharito replied: "No, no. Sometimes a manager is only in charge for two games before they get fired! It's a very different culture. It would be a miracle in Mexico if somebody stayed in the job for 25 years!"

Giggs: Boss leads by example

Ryan Giggs has paid tribute to Sir Alex as the boss approaches his 25th anniversary as United manager.

The Reds' long-serving midfielder feels privileged to have enjoyed a great working relationship with his boss during his remarkable career and feels an incredible work ethic is the key to the Scot's success.

Sir Alex's legendary drive continues to fuel the club in its quest to remain one of the best in the world and it's typical of the focus of the man that he is playing down all the attention surrounding his latest landmark.

"The best piece of advice he's given me? To work hard," Giggs revealed to Inside United in an exclusive, lengthy interview. "You can have all the qualities in the world, but hard work is the key to everything. He’s seen plenty of quality players come and go at United over the years, but the main thing that sets great players apart from the rest is their work ethic.

"And he leads by example, of course. He’s always first in at the training ground and last to leave, and he wants to see that kind of mentality from his players as well.

"He just loves his job. He loves watching United play. He loves seeing players develop. He loves everything about his job. You couldn’t do what he does at his age and have the work ethic he’s got if you didn’t love it.

"Like I said before, his work ethic is incredible. We might have got home from a European away game at four in the morning, yet you can pretty much guarantee he’ll be first in at Carrington at 8am the next day – and will be last to leave.

"You’ll then stick the TV on later that night and see him at a function in London. It’s unbelievable."

Becks: I owe Sir Alex so much

David Beckham has credited Sir Alex Ferguson with making him into the player and man he is today.

In an exclusive interview for a special Sir Alex tribute magazine created by United Review, the Treble winner, who spent the best part of his career at Old Trafford, says he will always be grateful to the manager for his guidance and encouragement during his time as a Red.

"The boss deserves almost all the credit [for how my career has turned out]," Becks told the official matchday programme.

"It’s 50/50 with my parents – that’s how highly I regard the boss. My parents were the ones that brought me up and helped get me to a certain level in my career, and the manager is the one that took me to a whole different level of playing for Manchester United and for England.

"He was the one that gave me my chance as a young kid. He gave me my debut at Brighton [in September 1992] and my Champions League debut against Galatasaray when I played at Old Trafford and scored my first goal for the club.

"He’s the sole reason why I was successful at Manchester United and successful in my career.

"You see so many young players fall by the wayside but under the boss that was never going to happen. He looked after us all and gave us everything we needed to become the players and the men that we are today."

As Sir Alex prepares to celebrate 25 years at the Old Trafford helm on Sunday, Beckham insists his former boss is quite simply a one-off.

"It [spending 25 years at a club like United] just doesn’t happen in football anymore. That loyalty and respect for just one club is unbelievable and it’s not something you see these days," explained the midfielder.

"It says a lot about Manchester United as a club and a lot about the manager when you consider how long he’s been there, and just look at the success we’ve had over the years.

"It’s been amazing. But that’s what happens when you have stability and a man that’s so passionate and hungry and has the love for one club that he has."