Alan Tonge, reportedly Sir Alex Ferguson's first signing as Manchester United boss, has taken to Twitter to praise the Scotsman.
Tonge, who was forced to retire from the sport at age of 24 due to a serious back injury, has also revealed that Ferguson's winning mentality extended further than just on the pitch.
"It's a very sad day because people like SAF are absolute one offs. We'll never see the like again. Giggsy's service is exactly the same," Tonge tweeted in response to Ferguson's impending retirement.
"I tell you something. SAF was an angry bugger when he first arrived! Deary me, he certainly laid down a marker. My way or the highway!
"Five a sides, quizzes, head tennis, table tennis and cards. He wanted to win the lot! Losing has never been part of SAF's vocabulary. We'd play head tennis for hours! The games would go on and on. It would get to 5.30pm, but SAF and Archie would keep you there till they won."
David Moyes is reportedly the favourite to be named the new United boss.
