How Danny helped to create football's greatest winning machine

Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed the part Danny Wallace played as he laid the foundations for English football's greatest winning machine.

Wallace joined Manchester United from Saints in September 1989 at the age of just 25 and immediately became a vital cog in the team that lifted the FA Cup the following year - Ferguson's first major honour at Old Trafford.

"He was a terrific player for me," said the United boss.

"He was one of five players I bought around that time with Mike Phelan, Gary Pallister, Paul Ince and Neil Webb, because I felt we needed to freshen up.

"Sometimes older players can do it once, but maybe not keep doing it. I felt we needed some young players at the time.

"We needed an injection of something, we needed a younger team. Danny fitted into what we wanted at that time and he did a great job for us."

Wallace had made more than 300 appearances during a decade spent playing for Saints, but found the opportunity to play for Manchester United just too much to turn down.

"We did well to get him at the time and I think it was the right moment for him," said Ferguson.

"There was a theory saying the brothers would not want to be separated.

"But I don't think the people of Southampton ever held it against him for leaving when he did. For a young player to come to Manchester United is a big opportunity.

"I remember him making his debut against Portsmouth. I remember thinking it was quite a place to start, but he scored on his debut and he was terrific."

A long-awaited testimonial takes place for Wallace next Monday - some 14 years to the day after he helped Ferguson lift the FA Cup.

With another 15 major trophies since, it is easy to forget what a watershed moment that Wembley replay victory over Crystal Palace was following some difficult years in the history of Manchester United.

"He was excellent for us in the FA Cup," said Ferguson.

"I remember he scored in the fifth round against Newcastle. It was a fantastic goal. He was just on the six-yard box and he dipped his shoulder and blasted it in the net.

"He also made the winning goal in that game for Brian McClair. Then I remember he made the goal for Mark Hughes in the FA Cup final.

"We were 3-2 down against Crystal Palace and it was the second period of extra-time and he played a very cute pass.

"He was very, very influential for us. It was my first trophy for Manchester United and you always remember those ones.

"He gave us width and speed. He could beat a player, he was a good deliverer of crosses and he could finish. He was also a player who could go through the middle."

Injuries, loss of form and confidence came to hamper Wallace's time at Manchester United and he eventually moved on in 1993 after four years at the club.

By 1995, he had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Wallace now believes his injuries were linked to the disease and Ferguson admitted it was something he has also since considered.

"I have often thought about that. Where do injuries start and why do players get them?" he said.

"He was terrific when we started making progress, but maybe he wondered if he was part of the progress.

"He was a brilliant lad, he was very popular here. Everybody liked him, he was very good friends with Paul Ince and got on well with everyone.

"I was at The Cliff, our old training ground, about four or five years ago and I was told he had multiple sclerosis.

"I couldn't believe it - it was just like 'No! Bloody hell!'. It came as a real shock, he was such a fit and enthusiastic lad."

Wallace, who still lives in the Manchester area, has bumped into Ferguson at various events in recent years and clearly continues to hold his former manager in awe.

"His Scottish accent was quite frightening - especially when he got really close to you after you had a bad game," he said.

"But he was very strong and looked after his players. He knew what he was talking about and made them into superstars.

"When I first got there he was having a really, really bad time, but you knew that something special was going to happen."

With an FA Cup final and yet more silverware beckoning against Millwall a week on Saturday, Ferguson is unable to send his current players to Monday's testimonial for Wallace.

But many from the 1990 Cup winning team will be at St Mary's.

And the godfather of Old Trafford will also be there in spirit.

"He is such a nice lad and never caused me a wee bit of bother," added Ferguson.

"I hope he has a really good night at his testimonial.

"I think he deserves it and I'm sure he will get a great reception from the Southampton supporters."