SIR Alex Ferguson has spoken of his pride after his wife Lady Cathy unveiled a nine-foot bronze figure of the Scot outside Old Trafford.

Eric Cantona, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Bryan Robson and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were among former Manchester United players who attended the unveiling in honour of the manager, who joined the club from Aberdeen in 1986. The Manchester club had commissioned award-winning sculptor Philip Jackson to mark his 25th anniversary in charge.

Ferguson said: "It's fantastic, a really proud moment. "Normally people die before they see their statue, so I'm out-living death."