Manchester United icon Sir Alex Ferguson has named Arsenal starlet Bukayo Saka as one of the best youngsters around.
Saka has established himself as one of Europe’s most devastating wingers in recent years, scoring 14 goals and providing a further 11 assists in the Premier League last season. His numbers are even more impressive when you consider that he is only 21 years old.
Now, legendary former United boss Ferguson has praised the Hale End academy graduate, comparing the current crop of Gunners youngsters to the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and David Beckham.
“Well, I think, people talk about when we had Giggs, Beckham, Scholes, [Nicky] Butt, and the Nevilles [Phil and Gary]people think they’ve made a great team,” he told NBC Sports, via the mirror.
“But what makes this a great team is the spirit they create. They bring you a spirit, and they will never forget you for giving them a chance in life.
“All the young players you get, like at Arsenal at the moment, there are a lot of young players – especially Saka – who will remember the manager who gave him his chance. That’s the important thing. “
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Ferguson is not the only legendary coach to praise Saka’s talents, with current Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola hailing the youngster as one of a select group of wingers to cause issues for his team in recent years. “He [Ake] important,” said Guardiola Sky Sports when asked about City defender Nathan Ake earlier this year.
“I learned this season when you play against [Bukayo] So, Vinicius [Junior], [Gabriel] Martinelli and [Mohamed] Wrong or [Sadio] Mane used to, you needed a proper defender to win duels one vs one.”
Saka got his 2023/24 campaign off to the perfect start, netting a stunning long-range winner in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest. The talented winger hopes to continue this form on Monday night when his side take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
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