So it has been revealed by former Scotland keeper Jim Leighton that Alex Ferguson very nearly became Arsenal Manager in 1986. The plan was to bring in Fergie and have George Graham as his No.2.

The deal fell down when Arsenal insisted on announcing this during the World Cup 86, and Fergie wanted to wait until after the tournament had finished. Not long into the season that followed, he joined Man Utd, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Ferguson went potless for three years at United before the silverware started to flow. Now the trophy cabinet is at bursting point, and old red nose shows no sign of hanging up his Wrigley’s gum yet. Would he have got the same amount of time at Arsenal? When you consider we are now entering a fifth potless season, I think he may have had the time here too. As things have gone, we have had good success without him.

George Graham won us six major trophies, and of course Arsene Wenger has seven and an entire unbeaten season on his CV. Not too bad to say the least.

But… if things had worked out a little different? As much as we all hate the man, he is undeniably the greatest manager of modern times and some will argue of all time. Part of me thinks that maybe he had an even stronger platform from which to start here, than that he had when he took the reins at Old Trafford. The basis of the ‘89 title winners was already in place in 86/87. He had to wait until ‘93 to land his first title at United.

Since then he has won 11 Premier pots to our three. Ok, he has had an almost endless pot of money to play with, but how many players has he brought through the youth system too. Giggs, Beckham, Scholes, and Neville, to name a few.

All ifs, buts, and maybes.

I still hate the bloke, and I still believe in Arsene Wenger...