English football changed forever on November 6, 1986 when Alex Ferguson - not a sir back then - became the new manager of Manchester United.
The Scot - who'd made himself one of the most coveted coaches in Britain thanks to his sterling work at Aberdeen, which included a remarkable European Cup Winners' Cup victory over none other than Real Madrid - decided that Old Trafford was the right place to make an even bigger mark on the game after months of speculation surrounding a long-awaited move south of the border.
It's well-documented that Ferguson endured a tricky start to his tenure. Narrowly avoiding the sack during his first four strenuous seasons, the Red Devils only truly began their resurgence following a famous 1990 FA Cup win.
But Ferguson had always envisaged taking United back to the top of world football. European champions in 1968, just a decade on from the Munich Air Disaster, Old Trafford had seen six bosses follow the legendary Sir Matt Busby and they all failed to maintain the level of glory which fans had become accustomed to.
Number six, Ron Atkinson, was dismissed by the Red Devils after just two wins in their opening 13 games of the 1986-87 Division One campaign, paving the way for his Scottish successor to take the reins. Ferguson, then 54, had been touted for a slew of jobs in the lead-up to leaving his beloved Aberdeen, who he'd been reluctant to say goodbye to until the call came from Old Trafford.
As the Associated Press explained on the day of his appointment, the former Scotland international had turned down advances from former club Rangers, English heavyweights Tottenham Hotspur and a number of foreign clubs across the continent. But when United made an offer, it was one which he couldn't refuse.
The Govan lad was so keen to be the man to rebuild the Red Devils, he never even bothered to ask how much money he'd be earning on his salary in the Old Trafford hot seat. Fast forward to 2022 and you barely go a day without hearing about a manager or player's eye-watering wages, but Ferguson was all about the job at hand - his dream one.
"I remember the late Jock Stein telling me he always regretted turning down the chance to manage United when he was offered the job," he explained at his first press conference alongside chairman Martin Edwards. "It's the only job in football which would have taken me away from Aberdeen, so you could say I'm both heartbroken to leave Scotland but as excited as a teenager to be joining the biggest club in football."
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Naturally, times changed and by 2010 - when Ferguson had emulated Busby's European triumph and won 11 of his 13 top-flight titles with the Red Devils - he agreed a clause in his contract which ensured that no player would never earn more than him. It's even been reported that he still picks up £2million per year for his duties as a United ambassador and advisor - nearly a decade after retiring.
In the midst of losing their way as a club, sitting 21st in the league table and clutching to past glories, whatever wage packet the desperate Old Trafford board stumped up for Ferguson's deal 36 years ago would've been worth it.
