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Eric Harrison dies: Sir Alex Ferguson leads tributes for 'one of the greatest coaches of our time'

dimitri kondonis

Manchester United legends have paid tribute to coach Eric Harrison after their former coach died aged 81.

Harrison was largely credited with the development of the Red Devils’ legendary ‘Class of ’92’ group of players.

The team – which featured Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Gary and Phil Neville – peaked when they won the treble under Sir Alex Ferguson in 1999.

But their former youth team coach died on Wednesday after a battle with mixed dementia, and Sir Alex Ferguson led the tributes.

READ MORE: ‘Class of 92’ coach Eric Harrison dies aged 81

READ MORE: Eric Harrison – The coach whose tough love shaped Man United’s footballing stars

Winners of the PFA Merit Award – the Manchester United Class of 92′ – featuring Ryan Giggs (bottom row left), Eric Harrison (bottom row, second left), Sir Alex Ferguson (bottom right, second right), Paul Scholes (bottom row right), George Switzer (top row second left), Kevin Pilkington (top row, fourth left) Phil Neville (top row centre), Chris Casper (top row fourth right) Nicky Butt (top row third right) John O’Kane (top row second right) and Gary Neville (top row, right) during the 2013 PFA Player of the Year Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

“Eric’s contribution to football and not just at Manchester United was incredible,” said Ferguson.

“When I came as manager I was lucky enough to have Eric on the staff as head of youth development, so I got to see the work he did and not just with the Class of 92 but with all the young players.

“He built character and determination in those young players and prepared them for the future.

“He was a teacher, he gave these players a path, a choice and he only did that through his own hard work and sacrifice.

“He was able to impart that education to the young which made him one of the greatest coaches of our time.”

Former United captain Gary Neville tweeted: “We’ve lost our mentor, our coach and the man who made us.

“He taught us how to play , how to never give up , how important it was to win your individual battles and what we needed to do to play for Manchester United Football Club. Eric we owe you everything.”

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We’ve lost our mentor, our coach and the man who made us. He taught us how to play, how to never give up, how important it was to win your individual battles and what we needed to do to play for Manchester United Football Club. He was always watching and always with us everytime we played, I can still hear him telling me NO MORE HOLLYWOOD PASSES. I can still see him as we played on The Cliff training ground looking down on us either with a proud smile or a loud bang of his fist on the window knowing any minute he would be on his way down to probably advise me in the most polite way to stop playing those passes. More importantly he made us understand how to work hard and respect each other and not just on the pitch. We won’t forget the life lessons he gave us. Eric we love you and owe you everything. ❤ Gary, Phil, Ryan, Paul, Nicky and David.

A post shared by David Beckham (@davidbeckham) on Feb 13, 2019 at 11:59pm PST

“He taught us how to play, how to never give up, how important it was to win your individual battles,” former England icon Beckham added. “Eric we love you and owe you everything.”

Michael Carrick, currently working at United under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, said: “I’ve heard so many stories over the years about the influence Eric had on the lads coming through the youth team.

“Schooling and developing them into some of the worlds best players. Such an integral part of the club.”

View this post on Instagram

We’ve lost our mentor , our coach and the man who made us. He taught us how to play , how to never give up , how important it was to win your individual battles and what we needed to do to play for Manchester United Football Club. He was always watching and always with us everytime we played . More importantly he made us understand how to work hard and respect each other and not just on the pitch. We won’t forget the life lessons he gave us. Eric we love you and owe you everything. ❤ Gary, Phil, Ryan, Paul, Nicky and David. RIP 🙏

A post shared by Philip Neville (@philipneville18) on Feb 13, 2019 at 11:31pm PST

Mike Phelan, who worked closely with Sir Alex Ferguson said Harrison was ‘a great man’, while other members of the ‘Class of ’92’ generation called him ‘a brilliant mentor’ and ‘a fantastic influence’.