ManU will mark ALEX FERGUSON’s 26th anniversary as "the club's most successful manager" by unveiling a statue outside Old Trafford in his honor this month, according to James Ducker of the LONDON TIMES. The statue was commissioned in '11 when the club celebrated Ferguson's 25th anniversary at ManU by renaming the north end at Old Trafford as the “Sir Alex Ferguson Stand.” The ceremony will take place at 2pm London time on Nov. 23. ManU already has erected statutes of former Manager MATT BUSBY and the so-called “holy trinity,” consisting of former players BOBBY CHARLTON, GEORGE BEST and DENIS LAW (LONDON TIMES, 11/6).
A LONG LEGACY: In London, Jamie Jackson reported ManU issued a statement that read: "The statue, by renowned sculptor PHILIP JACKSON, will be positioned in a prominent position near the entrance to the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand." Ferguson's major trophies won at ManU include two European Cups, 12 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, the Cup-Winners' Cup and one Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup and Club World Cup. He was also voted the League Managers Association Manager of the Decade for the '90s, has won three LMA Manager of the Year awards and the UEFA Manager of the Year for '98-99. On 10 occasions, he has been voted the Premier League Manager of the Season (GUARDIAN, 11/5).
MANY FIRSTS: Also in London, Colin Young published a story under the header "Fergie's Firsts," which recounts the first accomplishments of Ferguson's career at ManU. In Ferguson's first game, ManU lost 2-0 at the old Manor Ground against an Oxford side that "were to drop out of the Football League" during Ferguson's 26 years at Old Trafford. Ferguson's first win was Nov. 22, 1986 when ManU beat Queens Park Rangers 1-0 at Old Trafford. Ferguson's first away win was "where else but Anfield?" Ferguson's first signing was Viv Anderson, who came from Arsenal for just £250,000 (DAILY MAIL, 11/6).
