Martin Edwards explains how he knew Sir Alex Ferguson was the right man for Manchester United ahead of his appointment as manager 40 years ago.

On the evening of 6 November 1986, Alex Ferguson was appointed Manchester United manager. The Scot went on to manage for 26 years, making him the longest-serving manager in English football.

Ferguson is also the greatest in terms of success, having won 38 trophies at Old Trafford – including 13 Premier League titles and the Champions League twice. Since announcing his retirement at the end of the 2012/13 season, United haven’t been crowned league champions.

Now, 40 years on from Fergie’s arrival, many are reflecting on the glory years. The man responsible for his appointment, the club’s chairman at the time, Martin Edwards, has been sharing his side of the story.

Alex Ferguson made a good impression on Man Utd with Gordon Strachan transfer

Ferguson endured tough years at United before the glory years came. He had to change a lot at the club because it hadn’t won a league title since 1967 under Sir Matt Busby. This meant Ferguson’s number one objective when hired was to make United champions of England once again.

The Scot had shown his managerial pedigree in Scotland. He’d managed the national team briefly at the 1986 World Cup finals, after breaking the Old Firm’s dominance of Celtic and Rangers by winning three Scottish league titles with Aberdeen.

However, what really impressed United was how Ferguson’s Aberdeen side beat Real Madrid in the 1984 European Cup Winners’ Cup. He had been on their radar for some time as Ron Atkinson struggled to deliver success in the league, despite winning the FA Cup twice. Edwards also liked how Ferguson helped United complete the signing of Scotland international Gordon Strachan, who had signed for two other clubs at the time.

“It was definitely Alex Ferguson who was the choice right from the beginning,” Edwards told Keys & Gray Unleashed.

“I’d met Alex through Gordon Strachan when we got him; he’d already signed for two other clubs at the time. I think one of them was Lens or a French club or something, and it would have been under the European multiplier. Aberdeen would have got a lot less, so when we came in, Alex was keen for him to come to United because it gave Aberdeen more money.

“He helped us with the transfer, but not only that, just the way that he’d won the Cup Winners’ Cup beating Real Madrid in the final and he’d really taken over from the two big clubs in Scotland. To me, he was a very obvious choice.”

Strachan spent five years at United and won the FA Cup in his first season. He made a total of 201 appearances before Ferguson sold him to Leeds in 1989.

Ferguson made it clear that United was his dream job after being officially unveiled at Old Trafford. He told reporters at the time: “Manchester United are the only club in the world I would have left Aberdeen to join.

“I’m looking forward to a tremendous challenge. Everything has happened so fast that I’m slightly bewildered. I recall the late Jock Stein once telling me that the biggest mistake he made was to turn down the Manchester United job.

“And I made sure that I wouldn’t do the same, but it will be a great wrench to leave Aberdeen. After eight years of working with everyone at Pittodrie, I can’t begin to express the sadness I feel. It has been an unforgettable experience.”

The first of Ferguson’s 1,500 games in charge of United ended in a 2-0 defeat to Oxford United. It highlighted the amount of work required to take the Reds back to the top.

Man Utd hosting special dinner for Sir Alex Ferguson

United have organised a dinner at Old Trafford this weekend to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Ferguson’s appointment.

It is understood that 100 guests have been invited to attend the dinner, consisting of club figures and colleagues in the game. Former United chief executive David Gill is expected to be in attendance.

Although these are difficult times for the club – on and off the pitch – it’s important we remember those who brought so many special moments to Old Trafford. After all, Fergie deserves nothing but the best.