The Northern Irish actor, a lifelong supporter of the Red Devils, was given a front-row seat at an exclusive gathering

Actor James Nesbitt was among the special guests invited to honour Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United marked four decades since the legendary Scot took charge at Old Trafford.

The Northern Irish actor, a lifelong supporter of the Red Devils, was given a front-row seat at an exclusive gathering celebrating one of the most influential figures in football history.

Coleraine man Nesbitt, renowned for his performances in Cold Feet and The Hobbit film trilogy, shared a photograph from the occasion on Instagram, offering fans a glimpse inside the star-studded evening.

He was pictured alongside Ferguson, with several familiar faces from United's illustrious past also joining the celebrations. Former goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, defenders Nemanja Vidic and John O'Shea, and ex-captain Darren Fletcher were among those present.

The impressive table also included Robin van Persie, Jonny Evans and Javier Hernandez, while current United manager Michael Carrick was another notable attendee.

Sharing his excitement at being part of the occasion, Nesbitt simply wrote: "Sir Alex 40th anniversary of being made manager of Man Utd. Blessed."

"Still pinching myself at being there the other night, it was an honour, it was fantastic. To be part of that was really special," he said on TalkSport afterwards.

"There wasn't that many people there, maybe about 100, so it felt small, intimate.

"Sir Alex spoke really brilliantly. He is so good at projecting his own success onto others. And his own family who are so important to him. David Gill spoke so well also.

"Michael (Carrick) was there, and it was good that the Roma result had happened. He showed real leadership, real gratitude to Alex.

"He spoke with confidence, and humour, and also a real understanding of the enormity of Manchester United and what Alex achieved."

On being surrounded by such an array of Red Devils legends on the night, Nesbit said: "When you could see him really fully relax, was when he was in the midst of his players. You could see them hanging on his every word. You can see what he means to them.

"He was their life, he gave them opportunities."

It was a fitting tribute to a manager whose extraordinary achievements helped define an entire era at the club.

Ferguson arrived in Manchester on November 6, 1986, and went on to oversee a remarkable 27-year spell that fundamentally changed United's fortunes. His appointment marked the beginning of a period of unprecedented domestic and European success.

During his time in charge, the former Aberdeen boss collected 38 major trophies, including 13 Premier League championships. His crowning achievement came in 1999, when United completed an historic Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble.

Ferguson eventually called time on his managerial career in 2013, bowing out after securing one final league title.

Van der Sar was another former United star keen to document the celebrations, posting a selection of photographs from the evening.

The Dutchman expressed his happiness at being reunited with former team-mates and paying tribute to the man who had played such a significant role in their careers.

"What a fantastic evening at Old Trafford celebrating 40 years of Sir Alex taking the reins at United," he wrote.

"Catching up with the boys and some great speeches about what he achieved to leave such a mark on this club!"

The occasion brought together an extraordinary collection of footballing talent. Collectively, the former United players at Nesbitt's table had won 26 Premier League titles, underlining the calibre of individuals gathered to celebrate Ferguson's legacy.

However, the celebrations also provided a reminder of just how far the club's fortunes have fluctuated since Ferguson's departure.

There have, though, been moments of encouragement. A dramatic midweek comeback victory over Roma, watched by Ferguson himself, offered some relief for the current manager.

United then produced another extraordinary finish against Aston Villa, scoring twice in stoppage time to rescue a thrilling 4-4 draw.

Despite the late drama, the result did little to ease the wider concerns surrounding the club, with United still sitting in the Premier League relegation zone heading into the international break.