Sir Alex Ferguson's Top 5 Moments as Manchester United Boss

One of the most significant moments recorded in Manchester United’s Premier League history were the events that unfolded on April 10th 1993. In the buildup to the Sheffield Wednesday fixture, Sir Alex Ferguson’s United had gone on a four-match winless run as they fell into third place behind Norwich City and Aston Villa.

Ferguson’s men went one goal down to a John Sheridan penalty in the 65th minute and as all hopes of a title win for the Red Devils began to fade as they entered the 86th minute, Steve Bruce's headed goal brought life back into Old Trafford.

Then, in the 96th minute, the talismanic centre-back again headed another past Chris Woods as the phrase of "Fergie Time" was born and cemented into football folklore. Even though this result had no impact on the outcome of the league as they finished the season 10 points clear at the top, this went down as the day United put one hand on the inaugural Premier League title, which would subsequently lead to 12 more.

The most fitting ending to British club football's most valuable legacy. Ferguson ended his 26-year reign as the driving force of the country's biggest club in the only way he knew how: winning.

United's 2012/13 United side, despite winning the league, wasn’t full of elite players and there was a significant decline in quality compared to title-winning teams of the past, which merely showed the unique brilliance of this unrivalled manager.

Players such as Phil Jones, Tom Cleverley, Jonny Evans and Danny Welbeck, all featured large throughout this season and many of these players left the club after his retirement, proving that Ferguson truly was the man to turn anybody into a winner.

However, one key man who played the biggest role of all was Robin van Persie. After signing from Arsenal, van Persie became a symbolism of the man brought in 20 years prior to him, Eric Cantona, as both players came in to hit the back of the net at either end of Fergie's career.

Despite losing the title to Manchester City the year prior, Ferguson - as he always did - had the last laugh and ended his United career with a record-breaking 38th major trophy.

The 1998/99 Champions League final will go down as arguably the most famous in history and no doubt the most notable fixture in Ferguson and United's history.

The final started poor for Fergie's Fledglings and co. who’s side went one goal down inside six minutes from a goal from Mario Basler. However, with 10 minutes to go, Ferguson brought on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham, which would prove to be one of the best substitutions of all-time.

As the game crept into injury-time, a goal from Teddy Sherringham restored hope into the United squad. Little over two minutes later, a second corner was swung in by David Beckham and Solskjaer pounced on the headed ball to seal the first-ever European treble of winning the domestic league and cup and the Champions League.

This created one of the best comebacks in Champions League final history and "Fergie Time" had once again struck.

The first all-English Champions League final was one of the biggest moments United saw under Ferguson. Before the final was played between United and Chelsea in Moscow, Ferguson had just beat Chelsea to the Premier League title and the title was won on the final day as Avram Grant’s men dropped points against Bolton Wanderers as Ferguson regained the title by two points.

Ferguson’s men started strong as the soon-to-be Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, headed a goal past Petr Cech in the 26th minute. United looked in the driver’s seat but after a long-range effort from Michael Essien was twice deflected, it fell to the path of Frank Lampard who equalised on the stroke of half-time.

The game ended in a penalty shootout as Edwin van der Sar’s penalty save won the Champions League final for the third time for United, putting them ahead of any British side in Europe, bar Liverpool. This was the second Champions League title for Ferguson putting him ahead of Sir Matt Busby, although the Scotsman would later look back on his time stating he should’ve won more.

One of the best signings, if not the best, that Ferguson ever made for United was the transfer of Eric Cantona in 1992. Before the first Premier League season started, United lost the league title to arch-rivals Leeds United, which Cantona played a huge part in, making this transfer one of British football's most infamous.

In what now looks like a bargain at £1.2m, the Red Devils were champions within the year and Cantona had played a pivotal role in United securing the inaugural Premier League, and ultimately, begin 20 years of dominance.

Ferguson’s striker went on to shock the Premier League, scoring goal after goal and helping his side to three more Premier League titles. In total, he won 11 club honours and also won the Player of the Year award in the 1993/94 season.

In truth, without the signing of the Frenchman, United may not have had the unrivalled success they did for the two decades that followed. This man was the man under Fergie's leadership.