Sir Alex Ferguson's amazing 24 years as Manchester United Manager

[Supernan]

Tepat pd laga besok melawan Wolves 6 Nov 2010 merupakan peringatan 24 tahun karir Fergie bersama United. Semua hasil buruk-penampilan impresif udh dirasakan Fergie. Raihan FA Cup sampai Treble di Barcelona sampi Moscow.
Berikut beberapa 24 game yg tidak bisa kita lupakan,yg bs jd tolak ukur kesuksesan karir Fergie di Old Trafford.

So what are the 24 matches that help tell the story of Sir Alex Ferguson's amazing 24 years as Manchester United manager?

By Nick Metcalfe
Last updated at 1:30 PM on 4th November 2010


Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates another amazing anniversary on Saturday, with the Scot having now served 24 years as Manchester United boss.

Ferguson, who was appointed on November 6 1986, has established himself as the most successful British manager of all time.

But what are the matches that help tell the story of Ferguson's time at United?

I've selected 24 games from the past 24 years, and would be very happy to hear your personal memories from an unforgettable period in English football.

1986 FIRST DIVISION: OXFORD 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 0
Ealy days: Ferguson was appointed United manager in 1986



Where it all began for Ferguson. It's hard to believe sometimes how long ago it was that the Scot first managed United.

Margaret Thatcher still had years to run as Prime Minister, video recorders were regarded as fairly new, while Den and Angie were still married in Albert Square.

Mikhail Gorbachev had been leader of the Soviet Union for a year, and Ronald Reagan was President of the United States. That's the one actually isn't it? Ronnie Reagan as President - that's how long ago we're talking.

Football was a very different beast as well back then, and there wasn't much glamour about Ferguson's first match in charge of the club, which took place on November 8 1986, two days after the Scot was appointed as United's replacement for Ron Atkinson.

United went down to a 2-0 defeat against Oxford, who may be in League Two these days but back then were plying their trade in the top flight.

The match was watched by 13,545 at the old Manor Ground. Come to think of it, nearly all grounds were old back then.

Ferguson was later to describe how shocked he was at the poor fitness levels of the United players. There was less of a winning culture at the club back then, and more of a drinking culture.

It would be the start of a long journey for all of us.




Where it all began: Ferguson watches on at the Manor Ground where United slipped to a 2-0 defeat in his first match in charge

1988 FIRST DIVISION: LIVERPOOL 3 MANCHESTER UNITED 3

Liverpool were still the premier force in English football and Alex Ferguson (he was just plain Alex in those long ago days) made changing that his top priority. I actually put this down as the best Liverpool team of my memory - surely a team that would have been strongly fancied to win the European Cup were it not for the ban on English clubs at the time.

Bryan Robson gave United the lead at Anfield, but Liverpool came back with three goals either side of the break courtesy of Peter Beardsley, Gary Gillespie and Steve McMahon. Commentator John Motson screamed words to the effect that it was a magnificent performance 'even by Liverpool standards'.

Robson, who was time and again United's saviour in those years, scored again to give United hope but when Colin Gibson was sent off the points looked to be heading to the hosts. But then Gordon Strachan burst through to cooly score an equaliser for United, and his celebrations in front of the Kop (remember him smoking an imaginary cigar) would be one to savour for United supporters.

The match was memorable enough, but the post-match interviews were explosive, with Ferguson complaining bitterly on the wireless that decisions had gone against his side. Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish held up his baby daughter Lauren to say the press would get more sense out of her than the United boss.

Ferguson's men actually finished second that season, but in truth they were still miles behind their great north west rivals. It seemed then that Liverpool would go on dominating for ever.

1989 FIRST DIVISION: MANCHESTER CITY 5 MANCHESTER UNITED 1

A game that has become part of Manchester football folklore. Ferguson famously went straight home after this game and straight into bed, putting the pillow over his head. As he later admitted 'a sense of guilt had engulfed me'.

City were no great shakes, but they inflicted a painful defeat on their bitter rivals in front of a delirious crowd at Maine Road. David Oldfield, Trevor Morley and Ian Bishop put City 3-0 up in the first half, and even though Mark Hughes pulled a goal back, Oldfield and Andy Hinchcliffe put the gloss on victory for the hosts.

City and their supporters celebrated long into the night, and indeed for months and years after. As time wore on however one sensed the win may have become a millstone round their necks.

United's neighbours have barely troubled Sir Alex since - they are still waiting for a first pot since the 1976 League Cup, and even spent a season in the old third division. City have become a little noisier in recent times of course, but that's another story in itself.

United team v Manchester City, September 1989: Jim Leighton, Viv Anderson, Mal Donaghy, Gary Pallister, Mike Duxbury; Russell Beardsmore, Mike Phelan, Paul Ince, Danny Wallace, Mark Hughes, Brian McClair.

1990 FA CUP FINAL: MANCHESTER UNITED 1 CRYSTAL PALACE 0

Ferguson's first trophy and a landmark moment. United had struggled throughout the season, and at one stage fans at Old Trafford held up an infamous banner: 'Three years of excuses and it's still crap. Ta ra Fergie!'.

It is widely believed that the manager's job was under threat when United travelled to Nottingham Forest for an FA Cup third round tie - although Ferguson himself would later say that chairman Martin Edwards promised him that his job was safe, win or lose at the City Ground.

As it happened Mark Robins was the saviour for United on that January afternoon, scoring a priceless headed winner, and Ferguson's men went on a fine run in the competition. In the semi-finals United drew 3-3 with Oldham in a fabulous match, and then won a replay 1-0, courtesy of that man Robins, to reach their first final in five years.



A night to remember: Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates with Bryan Robson after United's 1990 FA Cup win

These were the days when FA Cup finals still really mattered, and with United always enjoying a special relationship with the old competition, Wembley Way was full of colour and genuine excitement for the clash with Steve Coppell's Crystal Palace.

The first match was a classic, with United going behind early on but rallying to lead 2-1 thanks to a Robson header and brilliant finish from Hughes. Ian Wright turned the final on its head however, scoring two superb goals to put Palace in front. United were grateful - not for the first or last time - to Hughes for poaching a late equaliser.

Jim Leighton had a shocker as United's goalkeeper at Wembley, being directly responsible for a couple of Palace goals and generally looking extremely shaky. Ferguson later revealed that Leighton had his hands in his heads in the dressing room after the match, and looked 'a beaten man.'

Ferguson kept that image in his mind in the days after the 3-3 draw, and eventually decided to make one of the brave decisions that would be one of the hallmarks of his time in charge. Ferguson dropped his fellow Scot for the replay and decided that Les Sealey would play instead.

For some reason Palace changed their tactics for the replay, despite worrying United constantly in the first match. The Londoners tried to kick United off the park, but it didn't work and Neil Webb's splendid pass set up Lee Martin to fire home a glorious winner. Ferguson was ecstatic, and United's joy at Wembley was unconfined.



Wembley joy: United players celebrate after beating Palace in the 1990 FA Cup final replay

1991 EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS' CUP FINAL: MANCHESTER UNITED 2 BARCELONA 1

A game that gave United supporters belief that they could reach the heights under Ferguson. United went to Rotterdam as underdogs for this European Cup Winners' Cup final against a fine Barcelona side, but pulled off a famous victory.

Ferguson's men went 1-0 ahead when Steve Bruce headed a free-kick towards goal, and Hughes touched in on the line, but it is the superb second goal from Hughes that will live longest in the memory. The Welshman seemed to have taken the ball too far round the Barcelona keeper but in classic Hughes fashion smashed home an unstoppable shot to put United 2-0 up.

Barcelona, who would go on to win the European Cup the following year, pulled a goal back through Ronald Koeman. United were then forced to survive a ferocious late onslaught, and Clayton Blackmore cleared a shot from Michael Laudrup off the line with time almost up. United held on though, and had won a first European trophy since 1968.

Joyous supporters sang 'Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life' in the Rotterdam rain, and to this day tales are still told by fans who travelled to Holland that night to witness a memorable victory.



Glorious: Mark Hughes celebrates with the European Cup Winners Cup in Rotterdam

1992 FIRST DIVISION: WEST HAM 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 0

Some United supporters were saying this night that they would never see their beloved club win the title.

The end to the 1991-92 season was painful indeed, with United ahead of Leeds going into the business end of the season but the wheels then coming off just when it mattered most.

United had lost to Nottingham Forest on Easter Monday, but the destiny of the title was still in their hands when they travelled to Upton Park 48 hours later.

You may remember the match for Ferguson's comment after the game that already relegated West Ham's effort had been 'obscene'. In my books he was right with that assertion - you had to be there to believe it, as the Hammers tore into United with all the verve and passion of a club playing in a big semi-final.

The only goal of the game only poured salt on the wounds, with the ball bouncing off Kenny Brown in unlikely fashion and into the net. Ferguson later called it the 'luckiest goal imaginable'.

It was a terrible night for United and you could sense the stuffing had been knocked out of them. It was little surprise when Ferguson's men went to Liverpool the following weekend and lost 2-0. Leeds were champions in the final season of the old first division.

1993 PREMIER LEAGUE: MANCHESTER UNITED 2 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 1


The long wait is finally over: Steve Bruce and Bryan Robson celebrate United's 1993 title win

A game so important that fans of other clubs (or ABU's as United fans know them) still say 'Oh it's Old Trafford, they'll play until United score' some 17 years on.

United were battling with Aston Villa and Norwich for the league title. The misery of losing out to Leeds the season before was dissipating and optimism had been steadily growing since Ferguson audaciously pinched the mercurial Frenchman Eric Cantona from Leeds a month before Christmas.

The destiny of the title was very much up for grabs on this April afternoon, with United seeming to hit form at the right time after crucially beating Norwich 3-1 at Carrow Road five days earlier.

United were 1-0 down to Wednesday with time running out when Bruce headed an equaliser, which would probably have partially satisfied many United supporters.

But deep into injury time, with Old Trafford baying for a goal, Bruce headed in the most dramatic of 96th minute winners. The ground exploded - with Ferguson and assistant Brian Kidd going simply mad on the sidelines. The result would give United the necessary impetus for the title run-in.

There was plenty of controversy over the added minutes, which was partially explained by an Achilles injury picked up by referee Mike Peck, which led to him being replaced by linesman John Hilditch.

Ferguson would later admit that he had been continually complaining to the linesman in the second half about time-wasting and the need to add on time at the end, and that this must have had an influence on the number of minutes added on.

The United boss also insisted that the extra minutes were 'totally legitimate', and that he watched the video of the second half at home that night, using his stopwatch to time all the stoppages for injuries and substitutions. The Scot actually said there should have been 12 extra minutes.

Ferguson and those watches of his - they have been another enduring image of his long spell in charge.

1993 PREMIER LEAGUE: CRYSTAL PALACE 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 2

Can I really include three games against Crystal Palace in this selection of 24 matches? Well, the other two speak for themselves and simply had to be in there. But I think this one should be too, because it was the night that United and their supporters finally believed that the long and agonising 26 year wait for the title was over.

United's main challengers Aston Villa were losing 3-0 at Blackburn in a match that kicked off earlier on this Wednesday night, and Ferguson's men knew that victory would put them five points clear with two matches remaining.

Hughes volleyed United ahead with another brilliant goal in a big match (has any other player ever scored so many fine goals in big matches?) and Paul Ince added a late second goal to send thousands of United supporters into ecstasy. 'We're going to win the league', they sung in belief rather than hope.

And when Villa lost to Oldham in their next match, Old Trafford enjoyed the party of a lifetime as United beat Blackburn. Sir Matt Busby was there to celebrate on a night of great emotion.

As far as winning league titles went, it opened the floodgates for what was to follow.

United team v Crystal Palace, April 1993: Peter Schmeichel, Paul Parker, Denis Irwin, Steve Bruce, Andrei Kanchelskis, Gary Pallister, Eric Cantona, Paul Ince, Brian McClair, Mark Hughes, Ryan Giggs.

[Supernan]

From Rotterdam to Moscow: Ten memorable matches that have shaped Sir Alex Ferguson's 22 years at Manchester United

By Nick Metcalfe
Last updated at 1:07 PM on 5th November 2008

Sir Alex Ferguson has said his favourite match as manager of Manchester United was the 5-3 win at Tottenham in 2001.

It got us thinking as to just what have been the biggest and most memorable games in Fergie's extraordinary spell in charge of United.

Let us know what you think of our choices, and remind us about some of the many games we've left out.


EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS CUP FINAL 1991: UNITED 2 BARCELONA 1

A game that gave United supporters belief that they could reach the heights under Ferguson. United went 1-0 up when Steve Bruce headed a free-kick towards goal, and Mark Hughes touched in on the line, but it is the superb second goal from Hughes that will live longest in the memory. The Welshman seemed to have taken the ball too far round the Barcelona keeper but in classic Hughes fashion smashed home an unstoppable shot to put United 2-0 up.

Barca, who would go on to win the European Cup the following year, pulled a goal back through Ronald Koeman but United survived a ferocious late onslaught to win their first European trophy since 1968. Joyous supporters sang 'Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life' in the rain in Rotterdam.

PREMIER LEAGUE 1993: UNITED 2 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 1

A game so important that fans of other clubs (or ABU's as United fans know them) still say 'Oh it's Old Trafford, they'll play until United score' 15 years on. The club's latest bid to win the league was slightly stumbling but this result would give them the impetus to finally go on and win their first title in 26 years.

United were 1-0 down with time running out when Steve Bruce headed an equaliser, which would probably have partially satisfied many United supporters. But deep into injury time, with Old Trafford baying for a goal, Bruce headed in the most dramatic of winners. The ground exploded - with Ferguson and assistant Brian Kidd going simply mad on the sidelines.

PREMIER LEAGUE 1996: NEWCASTLE 0 UNITED 1

Forget the rest, your Liverpool v Newcastles from the same year, or the Arsenal v United from 2003, this remains the most important top flight clash since the Premier League was formed.

Newcastle were four points clear with a game in hand and still in the driving seat in the title race with two months of the season remaining. They frankly outplayed United in the opening half, with Peter Schmeichel needing to be at his brilliant best to keep the Magpies out.

But United improved after the break and Eric Cantona fired in the only goal of the game. It was a trick the mercurial Frenchman would repeat many time in the weeks after, as United claimed their third league title in four years and Kevin Keegan was driven to his infamous 'I would love it' rant on television.


FA CUP FINAL 1996: UNITED 1 LIVERPOOL 0

Awful game, totally forgettable and a dreadful spectacle for the watching millions. One of the worst Cup finals in the last 20 years actually. But a glorious result for United. Beating your arch enemies to win a league and cup double is something that any fan would dream of.

And the goal was pure Cantona, United's great hero of the modern age. David James could only punch away a corner to the edge of the area and Cantona magnificently smashed home to cement the feeling that Liverpool's era of dominance was over. Ferguson once famously said his greatest achievement was to 'knock Liverpool off their f****** perch' - a second double in three seasons had put the Scot at the peak of his powers.

FA CUP SEMI-FINAL 1999: UNITED 2 ARSENAL 1

Some games just happen to make you remember why you became a football fan in the first place. The final ever semi-final replay at Villa Park had it all. A brilliant goal from David Beckham put United ahead, but Arsenal hit back to equalise and when Roy Keane was sent off the Gunners were favourites. And when Arsenal won a last minute penalty it seemed United's treble bid was about to be derailed. But Schmeichel was United's hero yet again, saving Dennis Bergkamp's penalty.

Penalties looked to be United's best hope during extra time, but then Ryan Giggs picked a pretty good moment to score the goal of the decade. Ferguson and United's players were mobbed by their delirious supporters and their audacious treble bid was still alive.


EUROPEAN CUP SEMI-FINAL 1999: JUVENTUS 2 UNITED 3

Amazing to think in a selection of ten matches over such a long period that two would come on successive Wednesdays. But so it was that seven nights after their Villa Park heartstopper that United found themselves in Turin for the second leg of a European Cup semi-final. What happened that night will forever be part of the club's folklore, as United produced arguably their greatest ever performance to come from behind and reach the final.

Only the most optimistic United supporter gave their side a prayer when Juventus scored twice in the opening minutes to take a 3-1 aggregate lead. But Roy Keane, whose booking on the night would rule him out of the final, rose to head in a corner to give the visitors hope and with confidence visibly soaring Dwight Yorke headed another.

Juventus could still have ruined United's dream with a second half goal, but Ferguson's men held firm and in the closing minutes they broke clear and Andy Cole slid in a third goal. It was an emotional night for United fans the world over - they had reached a first final since Sir Matt and Sir Bobby's big night out at Wembley 31 years before.



Barcelona bound: Andy Cole scores the goal that sees off Juventus and puts Manchester United into the European Cup final

EUROPEAN CUP FINAL 1999: UNITED 2 BAYERN MUNICH 1

Ferguson and United playersl celebrate United's amazing European Cup win in Barcelona

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz14PcbGcia

Fitting that in United's 'annus miraculous' of 1999 that the final act would verge on the miraculous. Certainly Ferguson, United's players and their supporters were left to wonder whether there was something divine about the match, which was played on what would have been Sir Matt Busby's 90th birthday.

So much has been written about this incredible game that it's difficult to add anything new really. Suffice to say that United supporters have never known such a period of ecstasy as they enjoyed in the final moments of this extraodrinary final.

Prayers were being offered to the heavens as the clock showed 90 minutes, but in truth most United fans had resigned themselves to defeat. But then up popped Teddy Sheringham and Ole Solksjaer to break Bayern Munich hearts. Ferguson was chaired shoulder high by his players at the Nou Camp as United enjoyed the longest and most delirious lap (s) of honour of all time. Fans would drink and dance until dawn in Las Ramblas, singing Happy Birthday to Sir Matt and counting their lucky stars that they were present to see something so unforgettable.

FA CUP THIRD ROUND 2002: ASTON VILLA 2 UNITED 3

A game that said so much about United - their never-say-die attitude and spirit, their enduring love affair with the FA Cup (and yes it was the Goverment that forced United out of the competition in the year 2000) and just how wildly passionate their support can be. United looked for all the world like making a low-key exit from the competition as Villa built up a two goal lead.

But Solksjaer showed all his natural brilliance to pull a goal back, and Ruud van Nistelrooy volleyed an equaliser soon after. With the game transformed United swarmed forward in numbers and van Nistelrooy rounded the home keeper to put United in front. The visiting supporters behind that goal invaded the pitch in sheer joy. There's always been something about United and Villa Park - a 'top ten United moments at Villa Park' wouldn't be ridiculous.

PREMIER LEAGUE 2007: EVERTON 2 UNITED 4

Wayne Rooney puts United 3-2 up in their crucial Premier League clash at Everton in April 2007

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz14Pcnuwbr

A lunchtime league match at Goodison Park that will live long in the memory. United had endured by their standards a frustrating few seasons, with first Arsene Wenger's unbeaten Arsenal and then Jose Mourinho's Chelsea (with a little help from elsewhere) beating United to league titles. In the autumn of 2005, particularly after United crashed out of the European Cup in the group stages, there were some pundits that suggested Ferguson's powers were waning and that he should have retired when he had first planned to in 2002.

United had been just in front of Chelsea for months, but some United fans still feared it could all change right at the end. And with United slipping 2-0 behind against Everton, and Chelsea ahead against Bolton, it looked at one stage that this could be the day that the race swung in Chelsea's favour. But United hit back with two quick goals and were level at 2-2.

Then came Wayne Rooney skipping his way into the Everton penalty area and gleefully putting United in front. It's that power of football again that comes to mind - watching the game in Barbados among United supporters from that wonderful Caribbean island before cricket's World Cup final was a perfect illustration of how the game had grown during Ferguson's time in charge. United added a fourth goal at Goodison, and the news came through that Chelsea had drawn with Bolton. United had taken a giant step to a first league title since 2003, re-establishing themselves as the premier force in English football.

EUROPEAN CUP FINAL 2008: UNITED 1 CHELSEA 1 (United win on penalties)

When Edwin van der Sar saved Nicolas Anelka's penalty at 1.30am in the pouring rain in Moscow, it all became worthwhile. The endless worries over the match ('Will we need a visa'? Will our name need to be on the match ticket'? 'Can we find a train from Helsinki to Moscow'? etc) fell away in that glorious moment. It was one of the most surreal events you could ever attend - and it looked like Chelsea might make it one to forget for United.

After going a goal up through Cristiano Ronaldo, United wasted two more superb opportunities and just before the break Frank Lampard equalised. The second 45 minutes must have seemed like the longest of all time for United supporters, with Chelsea at times totally dominant. But United survived, and when Lampard struck the crossbar for the Blues in extra-time, following on from Didier Drogba earlier hitting the post, many recalled Bayern Munich's bad luck with the woodwork nine years earlier and wondered whether it was all written in the stars.

It didn't feel like that however when John Terry walked forward with a penalty kick to win the game - then it looked all over. But Terry slipped and the rest is history. Fifty years on from the Munich air crash, United had tasted joy again in the competition which is woven into the very fabric of the club. They were kings of the continent for the third time.

[Ucup Carrick]

tinggal menunggu di sebelah mana, patung Sir Alex Ferguson dipajang di sekitar stadion Old Trafford...

[yoshiharu_kubo10]

bagusnya sih sebelahan sama Sir Matt Busby...

[Redsbusby]

Fergie: Liverpool Tetap Musuh Bebuyutan United
Rabu, 10 November 2010 - 13:09 wib | Okezone
Sang legenda yang kini memasuki Masa Bakti di tahun ke- 25 nya, menganggap Liverpool tetaplah musuh bebuyutan.

MANCHESTER – Sir Alex Ferguson mengakui rivalitas Derby Manchester kian tinggi belakangan terakhir. Tapi, baginya Liverpool tetaplah seteru abadi Setan Merah.

Persaingan United dengan Liverpool memang sudah tradisi. Keduanya saling kejar dalam perebutan gelar juara. Jika The Reds sempat mendominasi Premier League sebelum tahun 1990. Sejak saat itu, The Reds tak pernah lagi mencium trofi kebanggaan sepakbola Inggris.

Pelan tapi pasti, perolehan gelar The Reds mampu disamai oleh United. Ketika menjadi juara pada musim 2008/2009, merupakan gelar ke-18, angka sama yang diraih Liverpool.

Meski menyebut bentrokan dengan Manchester City menjadi salah satu agenda penting, Fergie mengklaim The Reds tetaplah seteru abadi United.

“Pertandingan lawan Liverpool adalah sebuah kehormatan, melihat trofi yang kami laih,” tandas Fergie kepada Telegraph, dilansir Goal, Rabu (10/11/2010).

“Liverpool lebih baik di Eropa (Liga Champions) sementara kami di FA Cup serta kejuaraan dunia,” imbuh pria yang sudah menukangi United sejak 1986.

“Tak diragukan lagi kami (United dan Liverpool) merupakan dua tim tersukses di daratan Inggris Raya,” pungkasnya penuh percaya diri.

[sellamanyaunited]

Originally Posted by yoshiharu_kubo10

bagusnya sih sebelahan sama Sir Matt Busby...

wah berarti patung nye jadi 4 ye ?
nambah 1 ama patung SAF hehehe

cuman diunited ada pelatih ampe 24 tahun, fergie menyamai waktu kepelatihan matt busby ya (CMIIW) ?

[Ridwanox]

keren banget gan... 24 tahun lebih mengabdi