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Sir Alex: 2001-2006

Wednesday 8 May 2013 20:32, UK

  1. Fergie completed the signing of Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2001 after a drawn-out transfer saga. The Dutchman would become one of United's best ever strikers.
    Image: Fergie completed the signing of Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2001 after a drawn-out transfer saga. The Dutchman would become one of United's best ever strikers.
  2. Sir Alex then broke a British transfer record to sign Juan Sebastian Veron for £28.1 million. However the Argentine did not live up to expectations.
    Image: Sir Alex then broke a British transfer record to sign Juan Sebastian Veron for £28.1 million. However the Argentine did not live up to expectations.
  3. Ferguson announced that he would retire at the end of the 2001-02 season, eyeing up a Champions League final at Hampden Park as his final game in charge.
    Image: Ferguson announced that he would retire at the end of the 2001-02 season, eyeing up a Champions League final at Hampden Park as his final game in charge.
  4. However United were dumped out of the competition by Bayer Leverkusen at the semi-final stage; destroying Fergie's hopes of a fairytale ending.
    Image: However United were dumped out of the competition by Bayer Leverkusen at the semi-final stage; destroying Fergie's hopes of a fairytale ending.
  5. This result spurred the Scotsman on to continue as Reds boss, as he decided he had unfinished business at Old Trafford.
    Image: This result spurred the Scotsman on to continue as Reds boss, as he decided he had unfinished business at Old Trafford.
  6. Sir Alex was soon breaking more transfer records in 2002, making Rio Ferdinand the most expensive British player of all time by paying Leeds £30million.
    Image: Sir Alex was soon breaking more transfer records in 2002, making Rio Ferdinand the most expensive British player of all time by paying Leeds £30million.
  7. After an uncharacteristic bare patch in his career, Fergie was soon back to winning ways, as he lifted yet another Premier League title in 2003.
    Image: After an uncharacteristic bare patch in his career, Fergie was soon back to winning ways, as he lifted yet another Premier League title in 2003.
  8. A sight that the United fans never thought they'd see again, as Sir Alex's decision to postpone retirement seemed to have payed off.
    Image: A sight that the United fans never thought they'd see again, as Sir Alex's decision to postpone retirement seemed to have payed off.
  9. Kleberson was the player that United fans were more excited about signing in 2003, but Sir Alex saw something special in a young Cristiano Ronaldo.
    Image: Kleberson was the player that United fans were more excited about signing in 2003, but Sir Alex saw something special in a young Cristiano Ronaldo.
  10. A man often tipped as Sir Alex's successor, then Celtic boss Martin O'Neill, met with the United gaffer ahead of a pre-season friendly in America.
    Image: A man often tipped as Sir Alex's successor, then Celtic boss Martin O'Neill, met with the United gaffer ahead of a pre-season friendly in America.
  11. Not a man to mince his words, Sir Alex is ushered to the stands by the fourth official.
    Image: Not a man to mince his words, Sir Alex is ushered to the stands by the fourth official.
  12. Ferguson's longest-serving captain, Roy Keane, lifts the 2004 FA Cup with his gaffer, but United were beaten to the league by the Arsenal Invincibles.
    Image: Ferguson's longest-serving captain, Roy Keane, lifts the 2004 FA Cup with his gaffer, but United were beaten to the league by the Arsenal Invincibles.
  13. Yet another big-money signing for Fergie, this time plucking the promising Wayne Rooney from Everton. The young striker would become talismanic for United.
    Image: Yet another big-money signing for Fergie, this time plucking the promising Wayne Rooney from Everton. The young striker would become talismanic for United.
  14. The Scot reached his 1,000th game in charge of Manchester United on 23rd November 2004, marking the occasion by appearing in the team photo.
    Image: The Scot reached his 1,000th game in charge of Manchester United on 23rd November 2004, marking the occasion by appearing in the team photo.
  15. The Reds' clash with rivals Arsenal in 2004, dubbed 'Pizzagate', saw Fergie allegedly hit in the face by a stray slice of pizza during a tunnel fracas.
    Image: The Reds' clash with rivals Arsenal in 2004, dubbed 'Pizzagate', saw Fergie allegedly hit in the face by a stray slice of pizza during a tunnel fracas.
  16. Sir Alex takes some time to sign a few autographs following a Premier League match in 2004.
    Image: Sir Alex takes some time to sign a few autographs following a Premier League match in 2004.
  17. Ferguson was faced with a new challenge from 2004, as a fellow mind-game enthusiast took the reigns at Chelsea.
    Image: Ferguson was faced with a new challenge from 2004, as a fellow mind-game enthusiast took the reigns at Chelsea.
  18. Sir Alex alongside Everton manager David Moyes, another man tipped to be Sir Alex's successor when he eventually retires.
    Image: Sir Alex alongside Everton manager David Moyes, another man tipped to be Sir Alex's successor when he eventually retires.
  19. Former United captain Bryan Robson joined Ferguson to pay tribute after the passing of Old Trafford legend George Best.
    Image: Former United captain Bryan Robson joined Ferguson to pay tribute after the passing of Old Trafford legend George Best.
  20. Fergie ended a relatively barren five-year spell with success over Wigan in the 2006 League Cup final. Chelsea won the league, and Liverpool the FA Cup.
    Image: Fergie ended a relatively barren five-year spell with success over Wigan in the 2006 League Cup final. Chelsea won the league, and Liverpool the FA Cup.

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