Manchester United's manager Sir Alex Ferguson, left, stands alongside Chief Executive David Gill at a presentation commemorating his 25 years in charge of the club. -Photo by AP

MANCHESTER: Manchester United celebrated Sir Alex Ferguson's 25 years in charge at Old Trafford on Saturday, marking the anniversary by renaming the club's north stand in his honour.

Ferguson, who was appointed on November 6, 1986, was given a guard of honour by players from Manchester United and Sunderland as he walked out on to the pitch ahead of the two teams Premier League clash.

As a packed house rose to give Ferguson a standing ovation, a banner was removed on the north stand to reveal its new name.

In brief remarks to the crowd, Ferguson expressed his honour at having worked for so long at what he described as “the best club in the world.”

A banner over Old Trafford's famous Stretford End declared “Sir Alex 25 years - the impossible dream made possible.”

United later revealed that a bronze statue of Ferguson - who will turn 70 next month - had been commissioned and would stand outside the newly named stand.

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