[Brother Leon]

Manchester United are on the brink of unveiling their statue of Sir Alex Ferguson.

United commissioned award-winning sculptor Philip Jackson to create the 9ft bronze statue which will be placed outside Old Trafford's recently renamed North Stand. It is to celebrate 70-year-old's Ferguson's incredible career at the club.

Jackson said: 'I have met Sir Alex on a number of occasions and he is a very nice chap. I took a lot of pictures of him and watched a lot film.

'You have to get to know the subject. He came down to see the clay sculpture and he seemed very pleased.'

The statue is being unveiled at 2pm on Friday, with a large crowd expected to gather at the ground. Ferguson is set to attend, along with Sir Bobby Charlton and United management.

Ahead of the unveiling, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has led the tributes to his great rival.

Wenger has had many close duels with Ferguson during his own remarkable 16 years with the Gunners but still holds his old adversary in the highest regard and expects United to struggle to replace him.

The Frenchman said: 'I don't remember anybody else being at the top, top level for such a long time. In some ways it is scary as well because you think when this guy leaves the club, no matter of 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. He has to be immortal so the club doesn't suffer!


'His commitment is always there, you never feel that his commitment 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.

'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. 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.

Veteran Ryan Giggs, who has been a key member of the first team for most of Ferguson's reign, has also been wholesome in his praise.

The 38-year-old said: 'He's just a great man. Even though he is managing the greatest club in the world and the biggest club in the world, he still has
time for any young player or any player with problems - both on and off the pitch.

'He's the biggest influence on my career so I can't speak highly enough about him.'

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.'

Another influential player was defender Gary Neville, who is now on the England coaching staff and forging a promising media career.

Neville said: 'To be at this club for so long is staggering. You would never believe it could happen.

'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.'

--
12 League Titles
5 FA Cups
4 League Cups
2 Champions Leagues

and now a well deserved statue outside Old Trafford. What a moment it's going to be. Time to get the tissues ready,guys.

Beckham,Ronaldo and Keane(if he gets over his grudge at last) may possibly be there too.


Confirmed:

• Eric Cantona
• Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
• Dwight Yorke
• Gary Neville
• Peter Schmeichel
• Ruud van Nistelrooy
• Edwin van dar Sar
• Phil Neville
• Andrew Cole
• Bryan Robson
• Paddy Crerand
• Wilf McGuinness
• Denis Irwin

[King Gizzard]

About time

[Brother Leon]

Even starts at 13:30, Free on MUTV, although I am sure Sky Sports News will probably show it too.

[bbfan1991]

This will be such an awesome day. SAF is such a legend for what he has acheived at United and all the work he has done in football in general!:dan ce:.

[MTVN]

How tragic

[Locke.]

Even worse than Fulham's one for Michael Jackson no doubt

[Brother Leon]

It is sad in a way, because it really hits you that he is leaving soon enough. Man I hope we make the right decision after him and don't turn into a Chelsea.

[Novo]

Originally Posted by Brother Leon

It is sad in a way, because it really hits you that he is leaving soon enough. Man I hope we make the right decision after him and don't turn into a Chelsea.

Look no further then Walter Smith

[bbfan1991]

Bump. Not long to go!

[Legend killer]

The GOAT modern day manager HOWEVER can never be considered the GOAT full stop due to how tactically inept he is. And although this won't be popular his time is up he has become to sentimental with players and has given up on youth

On a personal level will never forgive him for the way he ended things with Keane. Keane is easily the most important player (along with Eric) in the last 50 years of the club and to end things like he did was disgusting

[King Gizzard]

United need to keep away from Pepe and Mou, both completely can't be trusted in commitment

Moyes is the way to go, if he remains successful in the next 2-3 years left of Fergie's career and wins something

[Legend killer]

Originally Posted by Nathan

United need to keep away from Pepe and Mou, both completely can't be trusted in commitment

Moyes is the way to go, if he remains successful in the next 2-3 years left of Fergie's career and wins something

Another who knows his football

I am impressed Nathan

[Brother Leon]

Keane annoyed me today tbh. Needs to get over himself. He's pretty much the only Legend who wasn't there or at least sent a message via video.

[King Gizzard]

I don't think Moyes even needs to win anything really as people say

If he can do what he does with Everton all these years, *and* has stayed with them for 10 years, imagine what could he do with united if he was given the same time frame

[Legend killer]

Moyes is a cert for the role you can put money on that

[Locke.]

Moyes has no pressure on him at Everton he could finish 17th this season and still keep his job because the fans love him and "he has no money to spend!!!!"

He will end up getting one of the bigger jobs (or a bigger one than Everton at least) but it'll be completely different for him and wouldn't be all that surprising if he flopped massively

[Brother Leon]

Moyes would be a long term choice, but I do think someone who can come in and just keep the winning menatality going for the long term choice to take over later would be best.

Mourinho for three years or so followed by Ole for 20+ would be the absolute dream.

[King Gizzard]

The only thing I would say is the working on a shoestring isn't particularly true, their wage bill is huge in comparison to earnings

[Legend killer]

Moyes or Keane there really are no other options.

[Brother Leon]

Originally Posted by Legend killer

Moyes or Keane there really are no other options.

[Locke.]

Good idea actually I think you should give Keane a chance

[King Gizzard]

They will probably do a Barca and give it to Phelan for a year to lower expectations because no one can follow Fergie or Pep

[Legend killer]

Originally Posted by Locke.

Moyes has no pressure on him at Everton he could finish 17th this season and still keep his job because the fans love him and "he has no money to spend!!!!"

He will end up getting one of the bigger jobs (or a bigger one than Everton at least) but it'll be completely different for him and wouldn't be all that surprising if he flopped massively

God Locke that was the most bitter post I have read in a while

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Nathan

I don't think Moyes even needs to win anything really as people say

If he can do what he does with Everton all these years, *and* has stayed with them for 10 years, imagine what could he do with united if he was given the same time frame

I don't want Moyes for some reason tbh. I would prefer Mourinho or Guardiola, although one aspect that Guardiola shades JM over with is his work with younger players, but he still has yet to prove himself with a club other than his beloved Barcelona.

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Brother Leon

Keane annoyed me today tbh. Needs to get over himself. He's pretty much the only Legend who wasn't there or at least sent a message via video.

Yeah, it is a shame and he was invited too apparently.