Legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has named his favourites for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
Manchester United have endured a difficult period since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down after securing his final Premier League title in 2013.
Although there have been occasional highlights, most notably the FA Cup triumph in 2024, the club has been unable to reclaim either the Premier League or Champions League crowns in the years since.
A succession of managers has passed through Old Trafford, with Ruben Amorim now entrusted with the responsibility of restoring United to elite status. Appointed in November last year, he has faced a challenging start to his tenure.
This season, United sit sixth in the Premier League. While their form has been uneven, there are signs of encouragement, particularly with several promising additions strengthening the squad.
Ferguson believes ‘fantastic’ United star’s country are favourites to win 2026 World Cup
While United’s squad are fully focused on winning games for the club, many of them will also be thinking about the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
The iconic tournament returns this summer after Argentina’s win in 2022. Lisandro Martínez was part of the winning side and became the fifth United player to win the competition while playing for the club.
Paul Pogba completed the feat with France in 2018 while Bobby Charlton, Nobby Stiles and John Connelly helped win England their only World Cup to date in 1966.
Sir Alex Ferguson has been speaking about the upcoming World Cup and claimed that the favourites for the competition are Brazil.
“”Portugal have got good players [but] I always think of Brazil at the World Cup,” the legendary manager told Press Box PR this week.
“The Brazilian players—I had the two young lads, twins, Rafael and Fabio. They were first rate in training every day, never wore [tracksuit] bottoms. They have a toughness about them, Brazilians. You see them on the beach for hours and hours every night playing.
“I think whoever beats Brazil will win the World Cup.”
Cunha praised by Ancelotti
Matheus Cunha is expected to travel for the World Cup next year with Brazil and he would be ecstatic if he could help his country win the biggest prize in football for the first time since 2002.
The attacker joined United last summer from Wolves and has impressed despite a lack of direct goal contributions.
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti recently praised Cunha for his importance to the way that Brazil have been playing in the lead up to next year’s tournament.
“Well, the position of Matheus Cunha is very important for us, because he can help in the build-up from an area between attacking midfielders and strikers, with the three upfront, he can make fantastic plays,” he said.
Ferguson will also certainly be hoping for a good tournament from Scotland, who have ex-United star Scott McTominay leading them into the World Cup.
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