Sir Alex Ferguson loves horse racing as Man United players explain what he's like at Cheltenham Festival

One of the most memorable days in the life of many Manchester United fans was May 8, 2013 it was announced that Sir Alex Ferguson would be retiring at the end of the season.

It marked the end of one of the most successful careers in coaching in any sport, with United not having won a league title since. Most United fans will be able to tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news, but many of his former players will remember it as a day at the races.

Ferguson had been expected to be in attendance alongside his players, led by Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Robin van Persie at Chester Racecourse for the day with a horse owned by the legendary Scotsman, Butterfly McQueen, going in the 3:50. However, with the media interest that day Ferguson gave it a miss.

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United had already won the league title, and Ferguson was known to be a keen advocate of the sport by that stage, and as an owner of multiple horses it was understandable he allowed his players the chance to enjoy a day out. However, as revealed by former player Gary Pallister, this was not always the case for the ex-United boss.

Pallister was speaking to Cheltenham Racingand revealed the consequences of a trip to Cheltenham for United players in the 1990s before Ferguson gained an interest in the sport. He said:“My favourite memories of Fergie and horse racing is that if he found out you’ve been to Cheltenham Festival, he'd drop you!

“He wasn’t into Cheltenham racing then. He didn’t play golf and he didn’t like horse racing. Now he loves his golf and his horse racing and owns horses.

“Back in the day, he wasn't OK with the lads going off for a day at the races,