Alex becomes part of street furniture

Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has had a street named in his honour near Old Trafford.

The 71-year-old, who retired at the end of last season as the most successful manager in British football history, has also been awarded the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Trafford.

Ferguson attended ceremonies at the town hall and at the street formerly known as Water’s Reach, adjacent to Old Trafford, which is now to be called Sir Alex Ferguson Way. Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League titles with United, told those assembled: “It’s a privilege and an honour to have a road named after me. You don’t expect these things in life.

“I’d like to thank Manchester United for inviting me down here, 26 years ago. It was a fantastic elevation in my life and a challenge that I accepted. And we are where we are now.

“It’s a great, great football club. You, the supporters, have enjoyed it. And I still think that a lot of our young fans don’t remember that there were bad days. Dealing with bad days is what we’re good at. This club will always go on.

Sir Alex Ferguson Way is close to another stadium approach road, Sir Matt Busby Way.