It’s difficult to know where to begin describing ALEX FERGUSON’S PLAYER MANAGER 2001. Like most management simulations it’s incredibly comprehensive, offering players an enormous amount of information and statistics to absorb, tinker with and juggle: The menus are newly designed, easy to navigate and accessible from all other game screens: there are several improvements to the game engine but, most important of all is the input from 9 premier league managers, drawing on their knowledge and expertise to make this the definitive title in its genre. 

Sir Alex himself spent a considerable time with the developers before allowing his name to be lent to the game, ensuring that he would not be associated with anything less than the best. His high standards, unquestionable knowledge of football and crucial suggestions have all been taken into account, giving players everything they need to guide their favourite team to the top and, most importantly, keep them there. 

You begin by selecting to play either the English or Scottish league, choose a team and take a good look at the players. You can also choose to be a manager only or, as the title implies, a player manager, integrating yourself into the squad with comparable stats and abilities. Each player comes complete with accurate statistics and attributes focussing on their skills and weaknesses. These cover such points as stamina, aggression, composure, intelligence, pace and spirit, plus many others, any of which can be decisive when selecting squad members. 

Behind the scenes you’ll have contracts to negotiate, transfers to arrange and many other administration duties to perform. The fun part, however, is in planning your match strategy and tactics, formulating your dead ball situations with the new set piece designer, positioning your players, issuing your instructions to the team and then watching all your hard work come together on match day.  

Obviously this is only a very brief description of what the game entails and footy fans will get out of it much more than they put in. Statistically, it’s top of the league, much easier to control than before and packed with fascinating options to fine tune and customise.  

Price: £34.99 for the Playstation and due early 2001 for PC & PS2.