Sir Alex Ferguson Retireing as Manchester United Manager

Alex Ferguson was appointed manager at Old Trafford on 6 November 1986. He was initially worried that many of the players, such as Norman Whiteside, Paul McGrath and Bryan Robson were drinking too much and was "depressed" by their level of fitness, but he managed to increase the players' discipline and United climbed up the table to finish the season in 11th place, having been 21st (second from bottom) when he took over.His first game in charge was a 2–0 defeat at underdogs Oxford United on 8 November, followed seven days later by a goalless draw at newly promoted Norwich City, and then his first win (1–0 at home to QPR) on 22 November. Results steadily improved as the season went on, and by the time they recorded what would be their only away win of the league campaign at title challengers and deadly rivals Liverpool on Boxing Day, it was clear that Manchester United were on the road to recovery. 1987 began on a high note for the club with a 4–1 victory over Newcastle United and Manchester United gradually pulled together in the second half of the season, with relatively occasional defeats on the way, and finished 11th in the final table. Alex Ferguson's mother, Elizabeth died of lung cancer, aged 64, three weeks after his appointment. Alex appointed Archie Knox, his assistant at Aberdeen, as his assistant at Manchester United in 1986.
In the 1987–88 season, Ferguson made several major signings, including Steve Bruce, Viv Anderson, Brian McClair and Jim Leighton. The new players made a great contribution to a Manchester United team who finished in second place, nine points behind Liverpool.However,Liverpool's points lead had been in double digits for most of the season and while Manchester United had lost only five league games all season, they drew 12 games and there was clearly still some way to go before Manchester United could be a match for their north western rivals.