Sir Alex Ferguson Completes 23 years at Manchester United

23 years ago, exactly on this very day, November 06 1986, a man walked into Old Trafford. This man was handed the mantle at Manchester United with the responsibility of getting its glory days back. It was going to be a historical day. A day when Sir Alex Ferguson started his journey at Old Trafford. A journey that has completed 23 years today and still counting.

Tribute to sir Alex

Prior to his appointment, the English league was being dominated by Liverpool. The Scot had conquered everything in Scotland. He had inspired Aberdeen to break the domination of Celtic and Rangers in Scottish football. He was brought in to do the same here in England. Break Liverpool’s domination.

Start

Sir Alex had a tough opening few years at Old Trafford. United were struggling when he took over. The players lacked discipline and there were questions over their fitness levels. He managed to set things right as United climbed up the table to finish 11 th. The bright point was the 1-0 win at Anfield. A win that proved costly for Liverpool as they lost their grasp on the title. It was a sign of things to come.

Steve Bruce, Viv Anderson, Brian McClair and Jim Leighton were brought in by the Scotsman the following season. It paid off as United finished second behind Liverpool that year. Things started to drift apart as United slumped to 11 th place in 88-89. Inspite of major signings of Paul Ince and Gary Pallister and a great start to the 89-90 season, United started to slump in form. If things were to continue the way they were, it would not be long before Sir Alex would lose his job. Then came the match against Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup. A defeat here and a sack was certain. Defying all odds United managed to get past Forest and in the process gave Sir Alex his first major trophy as manager, beating Crystal Palace in the final. That match against Forrest saved his Old Trafford career.

First title

Sir Alex was brought in to do just one thing, win the league. Inspite of doing well in the League Cup and Cup Winner’s Cup the league title still eluded him. Sir Alex felt that there was one player missing, who would make the difference. That’s when he brought in French striker Eric Cantona. He had finally found his missing piece, as Cantona and Mark Hughes ended the drought at Old Trafford. United were crowned the first Premier League Champions. The 26 year old wait was finally over.

The Treble

Back to Back titles followed in 92-93 and 93-94. Sir Alex decided to rebuild his team. In the process he created his first team at United. Roy Keane was brought in to replace Bryan Robson. Cantona had a horrid 95 season as United lost the title on the last day of the season. Andy Cole was also brought into to bolster the attack. It was now time to bring in the “ Fergie Fledlings “ . Gary Neville, Phil Neville, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt headed by Welshman Ryan Giggs. The fact being that Sir Alex turned up at Giggs’s house to sign him as a youngster on his 14 th birthday.

United were quickly written off by the media as they felt the youngsters could not possibly win anything. How wrong they were. The young guns along with Cantona fought back from 14 points down to win the league on the last day. It was number 4 next year. However Cantona the man who inspired United to 4 league triumphs retired. Teddy Sheringham, Dwight Yorke, Jaap Stam and Jesper Blomqvist joined United. Sir Alex had finally rebuilt his team. 1999 was a magical year for United and Sir Alex. Down and out in the semi-finals of the Champions league against Juventus, it was captain Roy Keane who inspired them to victory. Again in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, it took a wonder goal from Ryan Giggs to get past Arsenal. Staring defeat in the Champions league final against Bayern Munich with only minutes to go, goals from Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solsjaer in injury time gave Sir Alex his first European triumph. The team had created history. An unprecedented treble – Premier League, FA Cup and the Champions League.

A hattrick of titles accompanied the treble. Ruud Van Nistelrooy was brought in along with Fabian Barthez. 2001-02 season was tipped to be Ferguson’s last year in change at Old Trafford. However it wasnt to be as Ferguson signed a three year extension to his contract. Rio Ferdinand was bought from Leeds United in a record British transfer. The 8 th premier league title in 02-03 was a remarkable season. With 2 months left to go, United were trailing Arsenal by 8 points. Arsenal’s form dipped at the wrong time and United completed a great comeback giving Sir Alex his most satisfying title triumph.

Time to rebuild again

The next 4 years were part of a rebuilding process. It started in 2003 with the arrival of 19 year old Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo. A player who 6 years from then was going to crowned the world’s best player. Next followed English sensation Wayne Rooney. Edwin Van der Sar and Park Ji Sung followed. It was during this time that Roy Keane decided to retire. Defenders Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra joined the team in the January transfer window. Michael Carrick was signed as a replacement for Keane. Sir Alex had almost formed his second team at Old Trafford. With Van De Sar in goal, a solid back four in the form of Ferdinand, Vidic, Neville and Evra, a midfield marshalled by Scholes and Giggs and a attack comprising of Ronaldo and Rooney, things had never looked better.

The last missing piece was the transfer of Owen Hargreaves from Bayern Munich. He was brought in for one reason. To aid United towards another European triumph. The following year the team gave him what he wanted. His second European crown. A season in which they almost completed their second treble. 06-07, 07-08, 08-09 made it 11 Premier league titles. Departures of Ronaldo and Tevez and with Giggs and Scholes nearing the end of their playing careers, the process of rebuilding has started again. Whenever he has rebuilt his team, Sir Alex has always done something special. His first team achieved greatness, his second team went further ahead, and it is time now for his third. Who would bet against it???

The only thing that can stop him is his age. But he wants one thing more before he retires. Another European triumph. What he has achieved here at Old Trafford is astounding. He is the second longest serving manager in United history after Sir Matt Busby. He holds the record for most Manager of the Year awards in British football history. He is only the third British manager to win the European cup on more than one occasion. But his greatest achievement is something else.

In 1994 on a freezing January night at Anfield, following their maiden league success, Sir Alex’s team visited Liverpool. A banner read “Come back and sing“ Ooh Aah Cantona “ when you’ve won 18 “ . That is exactly what Sir Alex and his United team did last week when they visited Anfield. They had come back after equaling Liverpool’s 18 titles.

A master tactician, Sir Alex has undoubtedly been the greatest man manager. During his time at Old Trafford, he has handled players like Cantona, Keane, Ronaldo and Rooney which is no small feat. People say that Sir Alex would have saved Paul Gascoigne’s career had he joined United. One more thing that he has always maintained throughout his stay here at Old Trafford is that no one becomes bigger than the club. No one, not even himself. I just dread the day he will hang up his boots. The thing I will miss the most is his peculiar celebration after a goal. I have still not understood his childish jump and the pump of his fists. All I know is that it brings a big smile on my face every time I see it.

Someone once said Sir Alex has “no managerial ability“. Another banner said “Three years of excuses and its crap. Ta ra Fergie “……Do you want to know what was his reply…… 11 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, 3 League Cups, 8 Community Shields, 2 UEFA Champions League, 1 Cup Winners Cup, 1 Super Cup, 1 Intercontinental Cup and 1 FIFA Club World Cup. Sir Alex Ferguson, I salute you.