Fergie Statue Officially Revealed, Ceremony Attended By Several Former Players

ManU Manager ALEX FERGUSON "pronounced himself a proud man after a statue of him was unveiled" by his wife CATHY FERGUSON at Old Trafford, according to Richard Jolly of ESPN SOCCERNET. Ferguson "paid tribute to his players as many of his past greats joined his current squad for a ceremony." The statue, made by sculptor PHILIP JACKSON and "showing Ferguson with his arms folded," is outside the North Stand. Former players that attended included ERIC CANTONA, ANDY COLE, DENIS IRWIN, GARY and PHIL NEVILLE, BRYAN ROBSON, PETER SCHMEICHEL, OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER, RUDD VAN NISTELROOY, EDWIN VAN DER SAR and DWIGHT YORKE. Additionally, CRISTIANO RONALDO and DAVID BECKHAM prerecorded tributes "apologising for their absence." Ferguson joked: "Normally people die before they get a statue. I am outliving death." Ferguson's first captain Robson said, "The boss has probably got the best club manager's record ever in the world" (ESPN, 11/23).