London (AFP) – Alex Ferguson, who has undergone emergency brain surgery, transformed the fortunes of Manchester United and turned the club into one of sport’s global brands.
The 76-year-old Scot’s combination of iron-fisted discipline, superb man-management and a fierce temper helped win 13 Premier League titles and under his reign United regained European prominence with two Champions League crowns.
It is a mark of Ferguson’s huge influence that United have failed to regain the Premier League title since he stood down in 2013.
In a management career spanning more than 26 years, Ferguson won a remarkable 38 major trophies.
The delapidated Old Trafford he inherited on his arrival in 1986 is now a 75,000-capacity super-stadium at the heart of a global commercial empire which Forbes estimates is worth $3.7 billion (3.1 billion euros).
On the pitch, Ferguson’s intimidating reputation helped nurture a group of precociously talented young players who were to form the backbone of his teams.
David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville emerged from United’s youth set-up within years of each other.
Any player who failed to share Ferguson’s drive felt the sharpness of his tongue — striker Mark Hughes likened his dressing-downs to a “hairdryer”.
The post United we stand: Alex Ferguson transformed Manchester’s Red Devils appeared first on World Soccer Talk.
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