He got the gift he wanted. Yet another victory, a straightforward 3-0 win over Portsmouth, allowed United to bounce ahead in the standings and they are now three points clear of Chelsea, who were beaten 2-1 by Tottenham. Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated 20 years at the helm of Manchester United insisting there would be no celebrations. Only a lunch in his honor: he's been at Old Trafford since November 6 1986, and two days later he lost his first match in charge, a 2-0 defeat at Oxford United.

Chosen by Sir Bobby Charlton for the way he managed to break the Rangers-Celtic hegemony with Aberdeen, Fergie managed to reconstruct United to his own image, leading them to their first league title in 26 years in 1993.

Trophies - After three difficult years, the turnaround came on 7 January 1990 with the victory over Nottingham Forest that won United the FA Cup, the first of 24 trophies with the Red Devils: 8 Premier Leagues, 1 Champions League (1999), 1 Cup Winners' Cup (1991), 5 FA Cups, 2 League Cups, 5 Community Shields, 1 Intercontinental Cup, 1 European Supercup.

Unique achievement - "Twenty years coaching the same club is a great achievement - Sir Alex conceded, - time has flown by. There have been great days, but I always look ahead, like I always have, like Manchester always have. Today they've done well not to turn the occasion into a circus, to just do things as normal."

All of his players wanted to dedicate him a goal. Despite their fourth place, Portsmouth acted as something of a sparring partner. Ferguson is hoping his team's superb start can give them back their Premier League title after three seasons of watching Arsenal and Chelsea celebrate. But he's ready to continue on for many more years, despite the 65 candles he will blow come December 31st.

"It's a scandal", he boomed, "that some people think I should retire. Just because there are people who don't want to work you cannot denigrate those who wants to go on. Certain attitudes make me sick."

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