SUMMARY
- Sir Alex Ferguson won 38 competitions, including 13 Premier League and 2 UEFA Champions League titles, as well as 5 FA Cups. What sets him apart from other managers is the "Fergie Time."
- In an interview, the former Man United manager stated the fact how much he likes to gamble during tricky games.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s aura and legacy at Manchester United goes beyond words. The 27 years of spell at the helm of Old Trafford is by far the greatest achievement ever made by a manager in the history of soccer.
The tenure of the Scottish manager at Manchester United was marked by numerous records, trophies, and the rise of many soccer stars, which turned the club into a soccer powerhouse. Sir Alex who joined the red side of Manchester in 1986, managed the side till 2013.
Sir Alex Ferguson led Man United to victory in 38 competitions, including 13 Premier League and 2 UEFA Champions League titles as well as 5 FA Cups. But what sets him apart from the rest of the successful managers, is a term coined for him specially known as the “Fergie Time.”
“I’m a gambler…. In the last 15 minutes of the game, shove bodies up front. Take the gamble.”
Sir Alex talking about ‘Fergie time’. 🐐pic.twitter.com/xlnrFFnY8x
— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) January 4, 2024
In an interview, the former Man United manager stated the fact how much he likes to gamble during tricky games. He stated, “In the last 15 minutes, you can do what you like. I’m a gambler. Shove bodies up front, take the gamble. And it doesn’t always work, but a lot of times it did. And the value when it does work is enormous.”
The term gained prominence during the late 1990s when Manchester United used to score late goals to win the match during the dying minutes of the game. The urgency and desire shown by the players under Sir Alex during the later stages of the game when they used to find themselves trailing or at level, gets spoken to date.
Here are some iconic Fergie Time winners for Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer vs Bayern Munich in 1999
This has to be by far the greatest sporting moment in the history of Manchester United. During a memorable night at Camp Nou, Bayern Munich was on the verge of winning the UEFA Champions League trophy in 1999, until Teddy Sheringham scored a goal from a Ryan Giggs mishit, which leveled the score to 1-1.
[THREAD]
Top 20 Manchester United goals of all time:
1️⃣ – Ole Gunnar Solksjaer vs Bayern Munich, Champions League Final 1999. pic.twitter.com/D2Op2EbtWp
— Daily United (@DailyUnited_) November 15, 2021
As the fans anticipated extra time, Manchester United won a corner kick, which was taken by David Beckham, and was met by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s point-blank range shot, after Sheringham missed his opportunity to become the hero once again.
Solksjaer’s last-minute winner paved the way for Manchester United’s second UEFA Champions League success after 31 years.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer vs Liverpool in 1999
The year 1999 saw the love story between Ole Gunnar Solksjaer and late minute winners. During a fourth-round FA Cup tie with fiercest rivals Liverpool, United found themselves leveled at 1-1 thanks to the equalizer from Dwight Yorke in the 88th minute of the game.
Up comes the Norweigan with only 10 minutes left to play. As the clock was winding down, the ball found its way into the box where Solskjaer was waiting. He struck it past David James, securing a spot for his team in the next round and keeping their Treble dream alive. Solskjaer then ran towards the Stretford End, grabbing hold of the United badge in celebration.
Robin Van Persie vs Manchester City in 2012
The Flying Dutchman put up an impressive spell at the shores of Old Trafford during the 2012/13 season. Van Persie finished with a tally of 26 goals which helped Manchester United win their 20th League title that season.
During the Manchester derby at the Etihad, Manchester United were at level 2-2 in the stoppage time thanks to Wayne Rooney brace. However, the match was far from over when United got a free kick during the dying minutes of the game.
Robin van Persie didn’t make any mistake as his left-foot curler went past the Man City keeper, Joe Hart who couldn’t do anything but see the ball end up at the back of the net. The derby win extended Man United’s lead at the top of the Premier League table to six points.