Sir Alex Ferguson, its not just a name but an emotion for everyone related to Manchester United. In the 27 years that Ferguson managed United, he made them one of the best teams in the world. And he did it for almost three decades. Consider this, during his entire career, he competed against the likes of Graham Souness, Kevin Keegan, Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelloti etc. Now, these were coaches with distinct styles and most of them failed to adapt when new managers came to the fore with their new styles.
However, Ferguson remained and it was his willingness to adapt was that made him one of the most brilliant minds in football.
Sir Alex Ferguson's farewell speech to Old Trafford 7 years ago today. Legend ❤️ #MUFC https://t.co/DAQDStI3n4
— UnitedReds (@UnitedRedscom) May 12, 2020
His trophy cabinet as a manager is surely one of the most decorated which included 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League, five FA Cups, four English Cup, 10 English Super Cup, two UEFA Super Cup Winner, one Intercontinental Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup among others.
And his career in Scotland was also quite good with three Scottish league titles, and four Scottish Cup wins while managing Aberdeen.
So, what records does the great Scott hold in football?
Sir Alex Ferguson's Premier League record to date: Played 809, Won 528, Drawn 167, Lost 114. Titles: 13 #BPLFinale
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 19, 2013
RECORDS
48- Titles won during his entire managerial career, the most by any manager in football.
13- English Premier League titles wins, the most by any manager.
410- Premier League wins, the most by any manager.
1,752- Points won as Manchester United’s manager, the most by any manager.
9,733- Days as manager of Manchester United, the most by any coach/manager in sports history.
895- Victories as Manchester United’s manager, the most in the history of the English league (Premier League era and pre EPL era).
528- Victories in the Premier League era, the most by any manager.
2- Times that United won three consecutive EPL titles, the only manager to do so in EPL history.
7- Titles on the continental stage, the most by any manager, a record he shares with Carlo Ancelloti, and Giovanni Trapattoni.
4- LMA Manager of the Year awards, the most by any manager in the league.
27- EPL Manager of the Month trophy, the most by any manager in the history of the league.
1500- Competitive matches that he managed during his entire coaching career.
2.16- Points won per game as manager, second only to Pep Guardiola in the Premier League.
48- Under his tenure, United played 48 different teams in league competitions, and won against every one of them.
1st- Manager in history to win league and cup titles both in Scotland (with Aberdeen), and England (with Machester United).
3rd- The Lowest position that United finished under him the Premier League era.
RECORDS THAT CAN’T BE MEASURED IN STATS
Despite the innumerable numbers of records he set during his managerial career, Ferguson gave innumerable moments that just can’t be measured in stats.
Whether it be the two injury-time goals that led them to victory in the Champions League against Bayern Munich or their 8-2 mauling of Arsenal, United fans can count many of these moments during Ferguson’s tenure.
And his time in Scotland was also successful
FERGIE TIME
One of the most iconic terms associated with Ferguson was the iconic Fergie time, where Manchester United scored goals past the 90 minutes to win the match.
Some of the most iconic goals scored by United during Fergie time are the ones scored by Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the 1999 Champions League final, and the 96th-minute winner scored by Michael Owen against Manchester City in the 2009-10 season.
Many people have held the belief that referees used to provide a lengthier injury time to United when they were losing or drawing as compared to when they were winning.
Stata from Opta revealed that was indeed the case with United being provided with an average of 79 seconds more when they were losing or drawing a match.
From the reliable folk at Opta Sport; it turns out that Fergie time actually exists. Shock horror. pic.twitter.com/8lIL5lV0
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 26, 2012
However, still, the joy of scoring and winning matches in the injury time must have been a moment that United fans still cherish.
POST FERGUSON ERA
Perhaps his importance to United and his greatness can be measured from the fact that United have failed to win a single EPL title ever since he left.
Their greatest season during the post-Fergie era was the 2016-17 season when they won the Europa League, Community Shield and the FA Cup.
In fact, his last season where he won the league title in considered to be one the weakest United team to win the title.
Their seventh-place finished the next season proved this point.
64 – In their first campaign post-Sir Alex Ferguson, defending champions Manchester United finished seventh in the 2013-14 Premier League with 64 points from 38 games; this remains their lowest-ever finish and points tally in a season in the competition. Demise. #OptaPLSeasons pic.twitter.com/w4A6Xia0tk
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 21, 2020
Many people have accused Ferguson of leaving behind a weak team, but United have s[ent a large sum of amount and are still no closer to winning the league. Their best finish in the EPL has been in the 2020-21 season where they finished second, 12 points behind Manchester City.
Jamie Carragher summed up the situation beautifully in a Daily Mail Article in 2014 where he said, “The only mistake Ferguson has made is underestimating just how good he actually was.”
