Man Utd boss full of praise for Real Madrid's Figo

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken of his admiration for Real Madrid winger Luis Figo.

Figo is expected to be granted a free transfer by Real at the end of the season and has been linked with United, where his former Portugal youth coach, Carlos Queiroz, is Ferguson's assistant.

The United manager told Visao: "It is not easy being at your best, for 10 or 12 years, at the very top of this game. In fact, it's extraordinary. But this is what Figo has achieved."

"Figo was one of the young players he worked with when Portugal won the youth championship. I spoke with Figo about Carlos before we first appointed him as assistant manager in 2002."