FORMER Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has sold off part of his wine collection for £2.26 million in Hong Kong.

The Christie's auction will be followed by further sales involving the auction house in London and online next month.

A total of 257 lots were offered and 229 lots were sold, the auction house said. The collection on sale yesterday featured six bottles of Romanee-Conti Grand Cru 1999 vintage, when Sir Alex's United side won the Champions League - sold with a team shirt signed by the former manager.

Ferguson said: "[Collecting wine] served as a distraction and gave me a balance in my life that helped me in dealing with the intensity and demands required of me as the manager of Manchester United.

"I hope many will enjoy exploring my collection."