THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SIR ALEX FERGUSON
1941 - Born Dec. 31 in Govan, Scotland.
1957 - Begins playing career at Scottish club Queen's Park.
1966 - Marries Cathy.
1974 - Ends six-club playing career and takes charge of Scottish club East Stirling.
1978 - Becomes manager of Aberdeen in Scottish top division, winning Scottish league for the first time in 1981.
1983 - Wins European Cup Winners' Cup with victory over Real Madrid in final, and becomes Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
1985 - Takes temporary charge of Scotland's national team after death of manager Jock Stein on Sept. 10.
1986 - Coaches Scotland at World Cup, where team failed to advance from group.
1986 - Becomes Manchester United manager as replacement for the fired Ron Atkinson. Leaves Aberdeen with three Scottish titles, four Scottish Cups, one League Cup, a European Cup Winners' Cup and a European Super Cup.
1990 - Wins first trophy at United, the FA Cup after a replay against Crystal Palace in the final.
1991 - Wins European Cup Winners' Cup after beating Barcelona 2-1 in final.
1992 - Signs French forward Eric Cantona.