Sir Alex Ferguson: I only had four world class players at Manchester United... Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo

• Sir Alex Ferguson said he managed only four world class players 
• Cristiano Ronaldo was the best player he managed at Manchester United
• Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes were also truly 'world class'
• Only two world class players are in action now: Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
• Bryan Robson, Roy Keane and Steve Bruce were 'big influences,' he said 
• Ferguson was launching his new book about management called Leading 
• This week's Fantasy Football bonus transfer code is ramsey12

By Matt Barlow for MailOnline

Published: 19:26 EST, 21 September 2015 | Updated: 06:55 EST, 23 September 2015

Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed only four of his Manchester United players could be truly regarded as 'world-class'.

Ferguson confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest player he worked with at Old Trafford.

He also put Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes among the elite, as he reflected on his career in his new book 'Leading'.

Ferguson said: 'If you read the papers or listen to the television commentators, we seem to be awash with 'world-class' footballers.

Sir Alex Ferguson says Cristiano was the best player to have been at Manchester United during his tenure

Midfielder Paul Scholes was one of just four truly world class players Sir Alex says he managed

The incomparable winger who was his caretaker manager, Ryan Giggs, was also one of the four

The at times controversial Frenchman, Eric Cantona, rounded out Fergie's Fab Four 'world class' players

'In my book there are only two world-class players playing today: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

'I don't mean to demean or criticise any of the great or very good footballers who played for me during my 26-year career at United, but there were only four who were world class: Cantona, Giggs, Ronaldo and Scholes.

'And of the four Cristiano was like an ornament on the top of a Christmas tree.'

Ferguson signed Ronaldo as a teenager for £12.25million from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 and reluctantly sold him to Real Madrid for £80m six years later.

Sir Alex was speaking at Royal Festival Hall in London as he kicked off a tour to launch his new book, Leading

Real Madrid's Ronaldo (left) and Barcelona's Lionel Messi are the only 'world class' players in action now 

Ferguson signed Ronaldo as a teenager for £12.25million in 2003, at the same time as Kleberson (left)

Ronaldo 'was like an ornament on the top of a Christmas tree,' says Ferguson of his former star forward

There was no place in the very top bracket for England stars like Wayne Rooney, David Beckham or Rio Ferdinand.

Ferguson spoke at the Royal Festival Hall on Monday night on the first of four theatre dates to accompany the release of his book, co-written with successful businessman Sir Michael Moritz, and he paid tribute to another tier of his United players.

'There were big influences like Bryan Robson, Roy Keane and Steve Bruce,' said Ferguson. 'They were not the type of have egos. They weren't the best footballers but they had wonderful desire and made sure they were the best players.'

No room for current Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney when Ferguson talks about his best players

Household name David Beckham and decorated defender Rio Ferdinand didn't warrant a mention either

Not world class, but big influences were Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce (left) and Roy Keane (right)

Ferguson and Robson celebrate winning the 1990 FA Cup final in extra-time over Crystal Palace at Wembley

'Leading' by Sir Alex Ferguson with Michael Moritz, is available through Hodder and Stoughton

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