Man Utd’s Sir Alex Ferguson: Didier Drogba’s Chelsea exit a ‘boost’

Sir Alex Ferguson has described Didier Drogba’s departure from Chelsea as a “boost” for Manchester United and the other Premier League clubs.

The 34-year-old scored 157 goals in 341 appearances for the Blues after moving from Marseille to Stamford Bridge in a £24m deal in July 2004.

The Ivory Coast international developed a reputation as one of the most feared strikers in the English top flight for his strength, power and finishing ability – he memorably scored the winner against the Red Devils in extra-time in the FA Cup final in 2007.

Drogba, who scored the winning spot-kick in Chelsea’s victory over Bayern Munich on penalties in the Champions League final in May, ended his eight-year spell in the Premier League last month when he joined Shanghai Shenhua, linking up with his former team-mate Nicolas Anelka.

“When you think of the season he’s just had, I must say it is a big boost for us that Drogba is leaving Chelsea,” Ferguson told the People.

“He scored that fantastic goal in the final with two minutes to go and his goalscoring record in the big games, in big finals, is incredible.

“As far as I was concerned, he won the Champions League for Chelsea.”

Sir Alex Ferguson fact-file

• Ferguson shot to prominence at Aberdeen by breaking the Old Firm’s 14-year stranglehold of the Scottish title in 1980.

• He claimed a first European title three years later when the Dons beat Real Madrid to lift the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup – earning him freedom of the City of Aberdeen.

• Ferguson replaced Ron Atkinson at Old Trafford in November 1986, and ended United’s 26-year wait for an English title in 1993. Has since added ten more championships to a domestic collection which includes five FA Cups and four League Cups.

• He guided United to Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup glory with victory against FC Barcelona in 1991, though his greatest achievements are the UEFA Champions League triumphs of 1999 and 2008.

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