Sir Alex Ferguson awards medals to soldiers returning from Afghanistan

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson took a brief step away from coaching his Premier League side to award medals to soldiers returning from Afghanistan.

The Scotsman, who witnessed his side lose 1-0 to Cluj in the Champions League last night, met the 1st Battalion the Royal Welsh today.

The 70-year-old shook hands with each of the soldiers and handed them their medals after they marched through Chester.

After showing his respect to the troops, Ferguson will switch his focus to this weekend's highly-anticipated Manchester derby.