Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has told the Big Issue that he thought Paul Scholes was "too small" to make it as a footballer when he first saw him.

Scholes, who turned 40 on Sunday, went on to win 11 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns at United, while making 718 appearances for the club -- a total that puts him behind only Ryan Giggs and Sir Bobby Charlton.

But Ferguson, who managed Scholes for 26 years before both retired in 2013, said he initially doubted whether the midfielder had a future in the game.

"I was very aware that the first time I clapped eyes on Paul Scholes, I thought: 'too small.' But that's when nurturing talent comes in," Ferguson said in an interview in this week's edition of the Big Issue, out on Monday. "And you're rewarded hugely. It's a fantastic challenge but I'm speaking mostly about leadership and I'm comfortable doing that."

Ferguson, who is a Fellow of the Executive Education Programme at Harvard Business School, said he discussed developing the stars of the future during his work at the prestigious Massachusetts university.

But while the Scot did not receive the same level of education himself, he believes he has met some very intelligent people in football.

"I've always been blessed with a good memory but Patrice Evra? There's a man with a brain," Ferguson said. "He could speak five languages and was a great help in the dressing room. Lovely guy. His father was a diplomat, it showed.

"Even better, see Diego Forlan? When he was with us he was also a great linguist and could speak about five languages fluently. Earlier this year when he signed for [Cerezo] Osaka, I was told that he prepared about a week in advance and then gave a five-minute interview to the media in Japanese. Now that's impressive."