Key moments in Sir Alex Ferguson's 26-years at Old Trafford

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Sir Alex Ferguson will be honoured with a statue at Old Trafford that is being unveiled today. Credit: Press Assocation

Eric Cantona and Ruud van Nistelrooy will be among the who's who of former Man United stars at the unveiling of a statue in honour of Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford today.

The club commissioned award-winning sculptor Philip Jackson to create the nine-foot bronze statue which will be placed outside the stand that already bears Ferguson's name.

As United takes time out to honour the club's longest serving manager, we look back at some of the key moments during his 26 years at the club:

November 1992 - Signing Cantona

Sir Alex Ferguson signs Eric Cantona. The enigmatic Frenchman is still hailed as the King at Old Trafford after a five-year career that saw him claim four top flight titles and two FA Cups during one of United's most successful line-ups.

May 1993 - First title of his reign

United wins the inaugural Premier League title by 10 points, ending the club's 26-year wait for a league title.

Ferguson with the first Premier League trophy in 1993. Credit: Press Assocation

1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons - Winning with 'kids'

After failing to win a title in 1994-95, Ferguson sold off experienced players like Paul Ince and Mark Hughes, choosing to back youth team players like Nicky Butt, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers instead.

Pundit Alan Hansen declared: "You can't win anything with kids" after they lost the 1995-96 season opener to Aston Villa.

But Ferguson proved him wrong, with Beckham and his young cohorts taking the league title back from Blackburn that season, and won it again in 1996-97.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (left), David Beckham (centre) and Philip Neville celebrate with the Premiership trophy in 1997. Credit: Press Assocation

May 1999

In the space of ten days, United became the first English club to win the league, FA Cup and European Cup, with the achievement sealed by an injury-time victory against Bayern Munich in Barcelona.

Alex Ferguson celebrates after his side win the European Cup in Barcelona, beating Bayern Munich 2-1, and obtaining an historic Treble. Credit: Press Assocation
Alex Ferguson and midfielder Nicky Butt (right) with the European Cup on the team's tour of Manchester after winning the "treble" in 1999. Credit: Press Assocation

February 2003 - The Beckham boot

The breakdown of Ferguson's relationship with David Beckham was highlighted when Beckham was seen with a gash to his head.

Fergie reportedly kicked a football boot at the player following an FA Cup defeat against Arsenal.

Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham pictured in 2003. Credit: Press Association.