SAF will go down in the annals of OT as maybe their most famous son, pipped perhaps only by United's longest serving manager Sir Matt Busby.
Both would be deservedly seated atop the Old Trafford 'Hall of Fame', but for quite different reasons.
Two men who, through their joint love of football and one club, separately pulled themselves from the harsh realities of Scottish industrial backgrounds to be rewarded with the honor of Knighthoods, bestowed on them by Queen Elizabeth II. of England.
Sir Matt was admired throughout (and beyond) the footballing world as an institution. His managerial acumen of, and impact on, the English game made him renown among his peers and football clubs the world over.
From the tragic ruins of 1958 he would rebuild United, using the remnants of 'The Babes' as his cornerstone, but it would be five long years before we would taste success again. However, ten years on and with one FA Cup and two League Championships won after the despair of Munich, Sir Matt Busby became the first manager to lead an English team to glory in the European Cup.
Sir Matt not only gave us success on the pitch he and The Busby Babes did more than any others to secure Manchester United their rightful place in history.
Whereas Sir Alex, whilst having lead United to more titles than any other football manager, having built more great teams than any other football manager is, at the same time, by far the most outspoken, controversial and confrontational manager of the modern (football) age.
Football supporters. the length and breadth of Gt. Britain, love to hate him and the Great British press to denigrate him, while most other managers must privately admire him, yet if not secretly envy him.
He is a legend to us yet a villain to others. A father figure to his young players yet the scourge of the highly paid self important player. A strict disciplinarian, armed with only a hairdryer, a deadly throwing boot and his own self belief to guide him, Sir Alex has succeeded where most would have failed. He, singularly, has guided the club back to where they should be, back onto the tracks left to us in Sir Matt's legacy.
It has taken time but United gave him time, at the onset when others called for his head. He has repaid that faith shown in him time and time again over the years, so love him or hate him (as we do at times) WE just can't do without him.
Manchester United, under his guidance, have managed to replace, the likes of, Cantona; Beckham; RVN and will eventually replace Ronaldo - but how do they go about replacing Sir Alex Ferguson ?
Both would be deservedly seated atop the Old Trafford 'Hall of Fame', but for quite different reasons.
Two men who, through their joint love of football and one club, separately pulled themselves from the harsh realities of Scottish industrial backgrounds to be rewarded with the honor of Knighthoods, bestowed on them by Queen Elizabeth II. of England.
Sir Matt was admired throughout (and beyond) the footballing world as an institution. His managerial acumen of, and impact on, the English game made him renown among his peers and football clubs the world over.
From the tragic ruins of 1958 he would rebuild United, using the remnants of 'The Babes' as his cornerstone, but it would be five long years before we would taste success again. However, ten years on and with one FA Cup and two League Championships won after the despair of Munich, Sir Matt Busby became the first manager to lead an English team to glory in the European Cup.
Sir Matt not only gave us success on the pitch he and The Busby Babes did more than any others to secure Manchester United their rightful place in history.
Whereas Sir Alex, whilst having lead United to more titles than any other football manager, having built more great teams than any other football manager is, at the same time, by far the most outspoken, controversial and confrontational manager of the modern (football) age.
Football supporters. the length and breadth of Gt. Britain, love to hate him and the Great British press to denigrate him, while most other managers must privately admire him, yet if not secretly envy him.
He is a legend to us yet a villain to others. A father figure to his young players yet the scourge of the highly paid self important player. A strict disciplinarian, armed with only a hairdryer, a deadly throwing boot and his own self belief to guide him, Sir Alex has succeeded where most would have failed. He, singularly, has guided the club back to where they should be, back onto the tracks left to us in Sir Matt's legacy.
It has taken time but United gave him time, at the onset when others called for his head. He has repaid that faith shown in him time and time again over the years, so love him or hate him (as we do at times) WE just can't do without him.
Manchester United, under his guidance, have managed to replace, the likes of, Cantona; Beckham; RVN and will eventually replace Ronaldo - but how do they go about replacing Sir Alex Ferguson ?