We know Sir Alex Ferguson as the legendary manager of Manchester United, but did you that he played for the club once as well?
Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the most celebrated managers in football. The legendary Scotsman retired as the manager of Manchester United in 2013.
The club appointed him for the managerial role in 1986. Ferguson led United to 13 league titles during his time, as well as two European titles.
However, very few people know that he also featured for Manchester United in a game.
Surprised? We were, too. But it’s true. Sir Alex has played for the English club on one occasion. It wasn’t a competitive game, though.
A year after being appointed as the manager of the club, Sir Alex took the field in one of the pre-season games during his first full season with the club.
Manchester United toured Bermuda for the mid-season in 1987, where the club participated in a number of games, including one against a domestic side, Somerset Trojans.
The Somerset Cricket Club remains the only place in the world where Sir Alex Ferguson actually played for Manchester United.
The Scotsman played the final 25 minutes of the game. United, however, lost the game 4-2. Ferguson’s assistant, Archie Knox also took the field with the manager and even scored the goal.
Sir Alex was a quality striker during his playing days, having scored 171 league goals in 317 games throughout his career.
He began his managerial career with East Stirlingshire. However, three months later, he was invited to take charge of St. Mirren. He produced a remarkable turnaround at the club.
At the time of his appointment, St Mirren were struggling in Division Two. However, he led the club to a First Division league title three years later.
He went on to win many domestic and European titles with Aberdeen before joining Manchester United in 1986.
Ferguson retired from his managerial career in 2013, but the Old Trafford prepares to see him on the manager’s dugout again this May.
Sir Alex will lead Manchester United’s 1999 side will take on the Bayern Munich’s ’99 team as they meet for a rematch of the European Cup final.
