Ferguson would have never allowed such a transfer to happen during his reign as United boss. The Scot and David Gill, who was United's chief executive, previously had a policy of never selling an important player to one of their Premier League rivals.

Kath Phipps, who passed away aged 85 last month, was remembered at a ceremony at Manchester Cathedral on Monday afternoon following her remarkable 56 years of service for the club. Sir Alex Ferguson told journalists afterwards: “I did 26 and I thought that was unbelievable.”