THE BEGINNINGAlex Ferguson was born on 31st December 1941. Forty-five years later he would be the person to turn United's luck around and create the most entertaining and successful club of the nineties. Alex Ferguson took over Ron Atkinson as manager of Manchester United on 6th November 1986. As a player he had spells with Queen's Park, St Johnstone, Dunfermline, Glasgow Rangers, Falkirk and Ayr United. And as manager of East Stirlingshire, St Mirren and Aberdeen (all in Scotland). United had only won three games out of their last 13 games when Ferguson arrived at Old Trafford. They had also just been knocked out of the Littlewoods Cup after being beaten by Southampton 1-4. Stuck in the bottom half of the Division One table, Ferguson immediately employed methods to stop the threat of relegation. Without resorting to buying new players, Ferguson guided United to finish 11th place. By now it was clear to Ferguson that it would be a major job to make the club successful. United were an entertaining side but also a team that were unable to cope with the more physical aspects of League football.  (ABOVE) Alex in one of the many teams he played for in his youth In his first full season, Ferguson helped United to a League runners-up position as his new signings Viv Anderson, Steve Bruce and Brian McClair proved their place in the team. They finished in 11th place in 1988/89 and after another threat of relegation, they finished 13th position in 1989/90. The fans were still not convinced that Alex Ferguson was up to the job and in his third year as manager banners were held up in the scoreboard end, questioning his ability as United manager. United continued to play poorly in the League, but on May 17th 1990, for the first time in five years, the fans had a reason to cheer as United won the FA Cup, defeating Crystal Palace 1-0 after a replay. United were finally gaining confidence showing the ability they always truly had but it was Ferguson who brought this out in the team. In 1991 United were League Cup finalists, and went on to beat Barcelona 2-1 in the European Cup-Winners' Cup Final. However the fans still wanted success domestically, in other words to win the League. United came close in 1991/92 to winning the League but Leeds United won by a few points. Some silverware did return to Old Trafford that season as Nottingham Forest were defeated 1-0 in the League Cup Final and Red Star Belgrade were beaten by the same score in the European Super Cup Final. United's time had finally come, Ferguson's team became Champions of the breakaway F.A. Premier League in 1992/93. The twenty-six year wait was over. This Championship victory won him the 'Manager of the Year' trophy, an award he won yet again the following year as United kept the Premiership crown. His team also became the sixth only team to win the League and FA Cup Double. It was close to being a remarkable treble but Aston Villa won a hard-fought League Cup Final 3-1. His 1993 Premier League victory meant that Ferguson became the first Manager to win League titles north and south of the border. He is also only the second Manager, after Johan Cruyff, to win the European Cup-Winners' Cup with teams from different countries. At the start of 1995 things were looking good for Ferguson. He'd just been awarded the C.B.E. in the New Year honours list and had bought Andy Cole for £7m from Newcastle United. A third Premier League title looked destined for the trophy room at Old Trafford. However on January 25th, United's season took a crucial twist when Eric Cantona attacked an abusive Crystal Palace fan after being sent off. The FA later banned him for nine months. Failure to win at West Ham on the last day of the season cost United the League Championship and losing to Everton in the FA Cup Final meant that no trophies were brought back to Old Trafford.  (ABOVE) Alex Ferguson and his wife Cathy after receiving the C.B.E from the Queen When the 1995/96 season began it did so without Mark Hughes, Andrei Kanchelskis and Paul Ince, players who had played important roles in United's success. By the end of the season, memories of 1995 had been vanished by United's kids, led by a rejuvenated Cantona (just back from his nine month ban), and won an historic 'Double Double'. Five players were under the age of 21 and were a result of United's youth system. A testimony to Alex Ferguson's managerial ability and his commitment to bringing new stars to United through his youth policy. This won him the Carling Premiership 'Manager of the Year' award yet again. The following season expectations were high. Ferguson had made some purchases during the summer including Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ronny Johnsen, Raimond Van der Gouw, Jordi Cruyff and Karel Poborsky. In November 1996, Alex Ferguson completed ten years as manager of Manchester United, the longest serving manager since Sir Matt Busby. The season came to an end with United winning their fourth Premiership title and narrowly missing out on reaching the European Cup Final, losing the semi-final to the eventual winners Borussia Dortmund. Again Ferguson won the Carling Premiership 'Manager of the Year' award, confirming his place amongst the greatest Managers to have graced British football. That status was confirmed in the 1998/99 season, when United completed the unprecedented Treble – Premiership, FA Cup and European Cup. He followed Matt Busby to Buckingham Palace, and became the first working football manager to be knighted.  (ABOVE) 20th July, 1999 Manchester United Football Club manager Sir Alex Ferguson poses at Buckingham Palace with his wife Cathy after receiving his knighthood from The Queen.  (ABOVE) Alex Ferguson with the Premiership Trophy (1999) after defeating Tottenham 2-1  (ABOVE) Alex Ferguson with the F.A Cup (1999) after defeating Newcastle 2-0  (ABOVE) Alex Ferguson waving at his supporters in Barcelona after the final whistle  (ABOVE) Alex Ferguson with his European Cup winning team (1999) after beating Bayern Munich 2-1  (ABOVE) Alex Ferguson with his beloved European Cup MANAGEMENT HONOURS
1980 Scottish Premier League- Winner
Ferguson is a manager who while tactically brilliant is not afraid to follow his instincts or take a gamble.
His instincts whether it is luck or some sort of intuition always seem to be right. He seems to recognise that
if you want to win things then you need to take a chance, sometimes an unexpected risk can swing things
in your favour by off-throwing opponents. |
