• Premier League

Cantona hails 'genius' Ferguson

Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has described Sir Alex Ferguson as a "genius" for the way he has been able to remain at the top of the tree for so long.

Ferguson has been in charge of the Red Devils since 1986 and after a sticky start, he has kept the club in the top bracket for the best part of two decades. He has dealt with a string of great players, Cantona included, while he has seen rival managers come and go.

His ability to deal with the different egos that travelled through Old Trafford shows his tremendous man-management skills and his all-round qualities earn him the utmost respect from Cantona.

"He is a kind of genius," Cantona said in an exclusive interview with ESPN. "He has a lot of humility, humanity and he is very passionate for the game. I admire him."

Cantona feels clubs struggle to remain at the top due to the transition that is needed between generations, but Ferguson's ability in dealing with this impresses the French great.

"He has had so many generations, there is so many differences between generations, especially with the newer ones," Cantona said. "What is tough for managers at a big club like Manchester United is when you get a generation that has won many things and they are not at the top any more, sometimes it is difficult to say to them that maybe a new player will take their place. Ferguson has dealt very with that. Sometimes big clubs have problems with generations, it is difficult to say to a player who has won many things that a young player may be better, and Ferguson has done very well with that.

"He is nearly 70 now and has adapted to all generations while also trying to help the players develop their own personalities. He has not gone for one type of player like Robbo [Bryan Robson]. From there they find the freedom to become even more competitive."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.