Stephen Halliday: Vintage antics from Ferguson

AS HE celebrates his 71st birthday today with a seven-point lead at the top of the English Premier League and a suitably robust glass of red wine, Sir Alex Ferguson still shows not the slightest sign of being ready for his pipe and slippers.

Love him or loathe him – and there are no shortage of those in either camp – the Govan Knight continues to enhance his status as the most extraordinary product of Scotland’s unmatched line of gifted football managers.

Ferguson has been in vintage form in recent weeks as he attempts to drive Manchester United on to a 
13th Premier League title under his 
imperious command. Match officials and rival managers alike have come under verbal fire as he employs all of his trademark “mind games” with Machiavellian genius.

No-one watching United this season would rush to acclaim them as the finest vintage of Ferguson’s Old Trafford tenure, especially with a 
vulnerable defence which has so far conceded more goals than bottom half of the table strugglers West Ham United and Sunderland.

But it is a United side which seems to embody its manager’s bloody-minded determination to do what-
ever is necessary to reclaim the summit of English football from their cash-rich neighbours Manchester City at the first attempt.

Their 4-3 defeat of Newcastle United on Boxing Day typified that approach, duly followed by Ferguson’s memorable and startling rant at the “wee club” managed by Alan Pardew.

Anyone who can upset the wretchedly irritating Geordie “celebrity” duo Ant and Dec, as Ferguson did with that comment, should be applauded. Happy birthday Fergie and many happy returns.