HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sir Alex!
The legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson turns 79 today, and despite retiring seven years ago his legacy at Old Trafford will never be forgotten.
Sir Alex Ferguson, who turns 79, won 13 league titles at Man Utd and had his team fighting till the endCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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He won the Premier League 13 times with Manchester United, as well as delivered two Champions League titles.
And they did that in style, often winning games in the final moments or as it became to be coined ‘Fergie Time’.
But what were the best ‘Fergie Time’ moments that invoked ‘Squeaky bum time’ and had United fans jumping for joy? Let SunSport reveal our top five.
5. UTD 4-3 MAN CITY 2009-10
Nothing is better than beating your cross town rivals than nabbing a last-minute winner.
And Fergie’s men pushed to the final kick of the game in their Premier League match against Manchester City during the 2009-10 season.
It seemed United would have to settle for a point at Old Trafford, when Craig Bellamy netted an equaliser in the 90th minute.
However, six minutes into added time Michael Owen popped up with a real poachers effort to secure the three points.
Michael Owen celebrates winning the Manchester derbyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
4. UTD 3-2 ASTON VILLA 2008-09
There’s something about the Theatre of Dreams that evokes real drama.
And a new leading man was born during the 2008-09 season, with Aston Villa threatening to derail Manchester United’s title bid.
With 10 minutes to go, Cristiano Ronaldo equalised to ensure a frantic finish at Old Trafford.
Then, as the clock struck 90 minutes, an unknown 17-year-old by the name of Federico Macheda turned in the box and curled home a stunning winner.
Federico Macheda’s curling effort kept United’s title aspirations going in 2008-09Credit: Getty – Contributor
Macheda was an unknown 17-year-old when he netted the dramatic winnerCredit: Getty – Contributor
3. UTD 2-1 LIVERPOOL 1998-99
The 1998-99 season was Manchester United’s most successful as a football club.
They famously won the treble that year, although you might argue luck was on their side in the FA Cup.
Before THAT semi-final against Arsenal when Dennis Bergkamp missed a last-minute penalty, many will forget they scrapped through against Liverpool in the fourth round.
Dwight Yorke levelled in the 80th minute with United looking seemingly doomed.
Then, as a replay loomed, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer popped up with a typical predator’s finish in injury time to send United through to the next round.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s goal kept Manchester United’s treble dream alive in 1998-99Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
2. UTD 2-1 SHEF WED 1992-93
It was a game that kicked off the ‘Fergie Time’ saying and sparked famous touchline celebrations from Sir Alex and his assistant Brian Kidd.
United were trailing Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 with four minutes to play when captain Steve Bruce, who hadn’t scored in six months, headed home from a Denis Irwin corner.
And Fergie’s team weren’t done yet. As United threw the kitchen sink at the Owls – they secured a winner with ANOTHER Bruce header.
That confidence booster inspired United to win their last five games and land their first league championship for 26 years. You could argue it also ignited the Sir Alex revolution.
Steve Bruce celebrates his 96th minute winner against Sheffield WednesdayCredit: PA:Press Association
1. UTD 2-1 BAYERN 1998-99
It will always be Sir Alex’s most famous victory, and it couldn’t have been more epic.
The Scot dreamed of winning the Champions League after dominating domestically.
And for the majority of their game against German giants Bayern Munich they were completely outplayed.
However, they hung on in there until the final moments – winning a corner in the last minute and trailing to Mario Basler’s early goal.
91 minutes were on the clock when Teddy Sheringham swept home an equaliser.
With the Bayern’s morale depleted, United won another corner minutes later.
David Beckham whipped it in, for Sheringham to meet the ball with his head and Solskjaer to tap it into the roof.
United were european champions, and they couldn’t have done it more fittingly… in ‘Fergie Time.’
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer taps home United’s 93rd minute against Bayern MunichCredit: PA:Press Association
Solskjaer’s goal was one of two in injury time to defeat the GermansCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates with his players after their remarkable win over Bayern MunichCredit: AP:Associated Press
Man Utd set to hand Mason Greenwood new long-term contract in 2021 after breaking into Solskjaer’s first-team
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
