Sir Alex Ferguson surprised by stand honour

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that he had no idea that the club were going to name a stand at Old Trafford after him.

Chief executive David Gill made the announcement before United's 1-0 win against Sunderland that the North Stand would be renamed the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand to mark the Scot's 25 years in charge of the club.

"It was a surprise for me today, I didn't expect that," Ferguson told BBC Sport.

"I felt really honoured and emotional when I saw my name on that stand. I must say thank you to the club for that. My assistant didn't tell me - so he's sacked!"

The club also announced that a statue of the manager would be erected outside of the ground before the start of next season.