By Simon Stone Press Association
|
Eric Cantona and Ruud van Nistelrooy will be amongst the most notable guests at the unveiling of a statue in honour of Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford on Friday.
United commissioned award-winning sculptor Philip Jackson to create the nine-foot bronze statue which will be placed outside the stand that already bears Ferguson's name.
The precise details of the statue are yet to be revealed but Ferguson recently inspected it himself and declared himself satisfied.
Guests: Eric Cantona and Ruud van Nistelrooy will be present at the unveiling of the statue
Ready to go: The statue of Sir Alex Ferguson is set to be unveiled
His longevity at Old Trafford is encapsulated by the guests who will be in attendance.
In addition to Cantona, who signed for United almost 20 years ago in probably the most astute transfer of Ferguson's 26-year reign, and Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals in five seasons but has never been back to the club since he was sensationally jettisoned in 2006, Ferguson's first captain, Bryan Robson, will be there, plus Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who scored that famous injury-time match-winner in the 1999 Champions League final.
Present and correct: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be there
United's entire first-team squad will also be present, as will England coach and long-time Red Devil Gary Neville.
And tributes ahead of the ceremony had been pouring in.
Before it was former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and now it is Arsene Wenger, with whom Ferguson has had so many battles down the years.
Fergie time: The United manager has seen his side win numerous games in injury time
The Frenchman said: 'I don't remember anybody else being at the top level for such a long time.
'In some ways it is scary because when this guy leaves the club, no matter the quality of who comes in after him, it will be a huge hole.
'The club will be destabilised even if the guy who comes after him is top quality because the print of everything, the life of everything, revolves around Ferguson so much at Manchester United.
High praise: Arsene Wenger cannot remember another manager as good as Ferguson who has worked for that long
'He has to be immortal so the club doesn't suffer! His commitment is always there, you never feel it is weakened.
'What I admire maybe the most in him is his forward-thinking. He is always ready to move with the times and never speaks about what he has done before.
Trophy laden: Ferguson has led United to multiple honours during his successful reign
'He knows when to renew the team, when you have to make changes, and that is exceptional because you can sometimes be a little bit lazy when you have so much success.
'He's never been like that, he's always on his toes and he can renew what is needed, when it is needed.
'It is a job where you need to dedicate your life to football and Ferguson has done that and that deserves massive respect.
'He has won absolutely everything and, of course, that is something exceptional.'
Still going strong: Ferguson continues to have United challenging both domestically and in Europe
Ferguson won the first of his 12 Premier League titles with United in 1993 and has also overseen Champions League success twice. There have also been five FA Cup wins.
England hero David Beckham found stardom under Ferguson and was a member of six title-winning sides before leaving for Real Madrid in 2003.
Beckham may have had his differences with Ferguson at times but the pair have long since been reconciled and the respect is evident.
Beckham said: 'I think the manager has been so successful because he's passionate about Manchester United and he's a born winner.
'He knows how to win games, how to handle pressure and how to look after his team and his players.
'Playing under him for the years that I did, well - he was like a father figure to me.
'I moved up from London to Manchester and he always said to me, 'If you've got any worries, come and knock on my door - it's always open'.
'I was scared to go and knock on his door because of who he is but he always made me feel as if I was part of a family and that's how you feel when you're at Manchester United.'
Neville is another whom Ferguson has influenced so much.
'To be at this club for so long is staggering. You would never believe it could happen,' he said.
'I've said before, United had Sir Matt Busby, now they've got somebody who's replicated his longevity at the club and surpassed his success - you would just never believe it could be achieved.
'It's really not something you can put into words, what Sir Alex Ferguson has done for the club.'
Kings of Europe: Ferguson won his second Champions League trophy in 2008
Plenty to ponder: Ferguson has faced new challenges during his reign at Old Trafford
No coach of any sport any where in the world has reached his greatness.
- Norman Hermanson , Mannie, 23/11/2012 06:27
Report abuse