Happy Anniversary Sir Alex Ferguson !

[holicman]

Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated 20 years in charge of Manchester United on Monday.
The Scot is rightly regarded as the greatest manager the English game has ever seen, boasting a remarkable trophy haul that comprises of eight Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, three Charity Shields, a European Cup, a European Cup Winners Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and a UEFA Super Cup while in charge of the Red Devils.

Here, we cah take a look back at five of Ferguson's most memorable highlights from the Premier League.

November 27, 1992 - Signs Eric Cantona from Leeds United

The mercurial Frenchman came from Leeds for £1.2million and with a controversial reputation but under Ferguson's astute man-management, the striker flourished at Old Trafford and was instrumental in United claiming four Premier League titles in five years as his sublime skills lit up the Theatre of Dreams until his retirement from football in May 1997.



Despite Cantona's stint at United being marred by his kick at a Crystal Palace fan at Selhurst Park in January 1995, it didn't stop him being voted Ferguson's greatest signing by United supporters.

However, Cantona nearly did not arrive to kick-start the United revelution as Ferguson had initially been chasing Sheffield Wednesday forward David Hirst.

“Because of Wednesday's refusal to let us sign David Hirst, we looked around at strikers we rated and who might be available," said Ferguson.

“I tried Leeds and was delighted when they agreed to release Cantona."

The Scot was also unconcerned by the potential baggage Cantona might have brought with him.

“I am not interested in all the tittle-tattle being written about the player,'' added Ferguson.

“My attitude is that I am not looking for problems or a confrontation with the player. Whatever has gone on at Leeds is in the past and we should remember he is a truly gifted player.

“He will be treated on merit. I've signed him in the hope of improving our scoring record. We will do our talking on the football field and Eric Cantona is certainly good enough to have a lot to say.”

Later, Ferguson revealed how the deal came about.

“Leeds chief executive Bill Fotherby was on the phone, asking about Denis Irwin. It was then an idea jumped into my head. 'Ask him about Eric Cantona', I scribbled on the chairman's writing pad.”

May 2, 1993 - Wins inaugural Premier League title.

Ferguson had the distinction of becoming the first manager to lift the Premier League crown and end United's 26-year wait to claim English football's ultimate prize thanks to Nick Henry's goal for Oldham that ended closest rivals Aston Villa's title challenge at Villa Park.

United were presented the trophy ahead of the 3-1 home win over Blackburn Rovers, eventually finishing 10 points ahead of his United predecessor Ron Atkinson's Villa side, which signalled the start of a dominance that would garner another seven titles.

Steve Bruce's double deep into injury time to seal a crucial win over Wednesday and Ferguson subsequently dancing on the pitch became the enduring image of that season's triumph.

“This is the greatest achievement, the greatest moment of my football career. I couldn't have asked for anything else,'' Ferguson said at the time.

“I'm proud of the players and really pleased for the chairman, the supporters and everyone connected with the club.

“There's tremendous pressure on any player at this club to try to win the championship. It's killed a lot of players, it's killed a lot of teams. But I feel that the character my players have shown in the last two or three years makes them something special.

“They've deserved to win the league and now, having opened the door, there's no saying what they can achieve.

“It won't be easy and because we've won it once does not give us any divine right. But it does take that weight off.

Ferguson also revealed he was actually playing golf when he found out United had clinched the title.

“Suddenly I heard a car screeching to a halt and footsteps coming up the gravel path by the green and a chap appeared with a huge smile on his face. ‘Mr Ferguson, Manchester United have won the League’.”

May 5, 1996 - Overhauls 14-point Newcastle United lead to win Premier League.

United completed the first part of what proved to be a second double in three years as they clawed back what at one point seemed an insurmountable 14-point defecit to the Magpies by clinching the Premier League title on the final day of the season at Middlesbrough.

United's successful campaign marked the emergence of Ferguson as undisputed 'king of the mind games' after he caused Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan to lose his cool on live television.

After accusing Leeds of only raising their game against United, Keegan famously produced his outburst after a narrow 1-0 win over the same opposition, saying: “Some of the things which have been said over the last few days have been almost slanderous.

“I think you've got to send a tape of that (the game) to Alex - isn't that what he wants?

“He has gone down a bit in my estimation. Football in this country is honest. You sometimes wonder abroad but here it is honest. I would love to beat them now, love to.

“The battle is still on. United haven't won it yet, it's not over.”

Sadly for the Toon Army, it was.

May 16, 1999 - Clinches fifth Premier League title as first part of historic treble

United came from a goal down to beat Tottenham Hotspur and claim the title on the last day of the season in legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel's last game at Old Trafford to record the first in what proved to be an unprecedented and well-documented treble of the Premier League title, FA Cup and European Cup.

Ferguson claimed it was the most satisfying of his five titles up to that point.

“You can look back at great days and all the rest of it, but they don't compare with this," he said.

“When that final whistle went and to win it on our own ground when we had to win it, after being 1-0 down, what can you say to that?

“We can't slacken and we can't afford to slacken.

“It's like a bus and we're going on to the next stop. If somebody gets left behind then that's their own fault.

“But I don't think any of these players will want to be left behind. They are as ambitious as I am now.

“Titles are won over a year and I think they deserved it. They are the best team in the country and they've proved that.”

Ferguson also paid tribute to Schmeichel, who set a record of 178 clean sheets for the club.

“It's a sad day because he will not play here again,” Ferguson added. “That must be a sad day for all those players like the (Mark) Hughes, (Steve) Bruces, (Gary) Pallisters and (Bryan) Robsons.

“All the warriors who have been here and Schmeichel was one of them. There's no doubt in my mind that he's the greatest goalkeeper I've had in my team.”

October 24, 2004 - Ends Arsenal's record-breaking run

After going through the previous Premier League season unbeaten, Arsenal turned up at Old Trafford looking to make it 50 games without defeat.

However, United had other ideas as a Ruud van Nistelrooy penalty and Wayne Rooney saw the home side to victory.

[Gavmundo]

He's a legend. No doubt about that. I look back fondly to the days when there wasn't any fourth officials and no way of knowing how much time the ref was going to add on and Fergie was well known for his time keeping and letting the Ref know when he should blow the whistle. One of the games at the weekend reminded me of this. One of the managers was raging at the ref to end the game when there was still 40 secs to play lol.

[penalty_20]

Fergie is one of if not the best ever managers in football. IMO he is better than Mourinho.

[Gavmundo]

I watched some of the programmes on MUTV last night all dedicated to Fergie. There were some great memories on there as well as a lot of funny stories. I remember him taking over from Ron Atkinson but forgot how young he looked

One amusing quite was from one of the backroom staff. He said the first thing Sir Alex asked him when they met was "Do you have a Xmas party?" The answer was no (at the time they weren't the financial powerhouse they are now). Fergie's reply was "Well we'll have to sort that out won't we"

Its quite amazing what roll he has in the club. After interviews with many members of staff you realise he has his hands in all aspects of the club rather than just team responsibilities. Everyone said he treats everyone the same from the Directors to the coaching staff and players to the admin staff right down to the cleaners. They explained how you rarely see the real Fergie on TV or in the media. He's a great laugh and always has a smile on his face and cheers everyone up. Even said he's renowed for wandering round the halls of OT singing his heart out ... apparently he thinks he's a good singer though not many agreed

[Lance Knight]

happby 21st anniversary to one of the best coaches of all time

[Fenerliyim]

Man u guys have a lot of patience. This guy would barely last in the turkish league.

[Gavmundo]

In any league these days!!! Things were different in the 80's though you had a lot more time to turn things round. Even in the EPL these days if you lose several matches on the trot then you're out!

[emode]

Congratulations Sir Alex!!!! He has done so much for MU!!!

He's the master of his squad who demanded so much discipline from his players regardless of their star status. Over the years this management tact sometimes have been been the cause of many notable players' departures which included quality players such as Jaap Stam, David Beckham, Roy Keane and more recently, Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Nonetheless i think that this fierce disciplinary line that he takes with such highly-paid, high-profile players has made him so succesfull in the Club.