Alex Ferguson takes UAE fans by surprise

Dubai: Manchester United fans in Dubai were shocked and saddened to hear that Sir Alex Ferguson is walking away from his successful 26-and-a-half year Old Trafford tenure at the end of the English Premier League season.

The 71-year-old Manchester United manager has guided the team to 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns.

Omeir Naseem, 21-year-old student, said he was “stunned” by the news of Ferguson’s retirement.

“It is very abrupt! Whoever comes in as a successor will never achieve what Ferguson managed to get done. He is a legend.”

When asked who he believed would be a suitable successor to the Scot, Naseem’s first guess was Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho.

But he added: “Still, I don’t think he is the right fit. The person who replaces Sir Ferguson has to be someone who comes and stays like him and I don’t think Mourinho is here for the long run. Everton manager David Moyes will also not fit in. I think Ole Gunnar Solskjær, who spent most of his career playing for Manchester United, would be a good fit. The manager has to be someone from the United team.”

Faisal Khan, 30-year-old online marketing manager, said Ferguson’s departure will be a “great loss” for Manchester United.

“Sir Ferguson should have given it another year. For two years in a row, Manchester United have come to the brink of repeating a three-peat of trophies, but they fall short. With the stock of players that they have, Sir Ferguson was the man to get them that elusive three-title season. It will be a great loss.”

When it came to successors, Khan said ‘The Special’ One Mourinho would be his choice.

“Mourinho has my vote to replace him. He’s had amazing success with star teams such as Inter Milan and even Real Madrid and I don’t see anyone better to replace Ferguson. Mourinho seems like the man who can work well with this crop of players,” he said.

Afzal Hussain, a 26-year-old sales coordinator, said he is looking forward to seeing who will step into Ferguson’s shoes. “He has been around for a long time. It would be interesting to see who replaces him. Everyone’s best guess would be Jose Mourinho. He has in the past shown interest in joining the Manchester United side.”

However, Hussain has a different contender in mind for the position.

He said: “Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes should be the replacement. He helped his side reach the finals in the Champion’s League. He is aware of all the tactics. Any manager that can lead a team to defeat Barcelona 7-0 has to be good!”