Alex ferguson after chelsea game

He called me sometimes to his office with the translator there but it doesn't matter. The important thing was to tell me things to help me grow up like a person, like a player, and since day one, everything that he told me [he would do], he did.

So I have to appreciate everything he did for me, for my family, especially for the club Ferguson : "With any boy coming from another country, 18 years of age, I think he was the youngest we ever did that, with Cristiano, his mother stayed for quite a bit.

I think having family around when you make a move like that, coming to another country, it's really important. But coming to another country where the language is different, it's a big step for a young person.

Ferguson : "I think the club did really well but I'll always remember that when we had the discussion, I think that I wanted to impress upon his agent in particular, he won't play every game but if he is so good, I can't stop him. Ferguson : "The crowd was magnificent, the crowd loved it. So here we had the situation - do I play him the next game or do I put him back on the bench? That winning these titles was hard, it took a lot of work, it was not just about turning up and letting it all happen.

Perhaps it is only now in the last eight years, and as the great man turns 80 today, that people really comprehend what a phenomenal job he did. Louis van Gaal — and he will probably tell you this himself — was regarded as one of the greatest coaches of his generation.

Next was serial trophy winner Jose Mourinho — and he did put two in the cabinet while lifting the club to second in the table. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took the wheel and guided the club back on to the right path but just did not have what it took to make the final turn.

It was heart-rending to witness the disappointment in his voice in that final interview after also being axed. He felt he had come close but just could not do it and when it starts to unravel, it unravels very fast at United.

Good men, good coaches, backed with lots of cash, they have all tried but ultimately failed to emulate the greatest of all. The problem was the bloke with the instructions of how to work it had retired and the manual was in his head. It was a touch of class from the United faithful and as the banner moved across the Stretford End, a delighted Sir Alex got out his phone and snapped a picture.

Sir Alex taking a photo of his birthday banner is just so wholesome pic. My heart! Sir Alex whipping out his phone to take a pic of his bday message banner in the Stretford End. United gave Ferguson an early birthday present in the form of a win against Burnley on Thursday night.