Sir Alex Ferguson gets a statue at Old Trafford

Manchester United are on the brink of unveiling their statue of Sir Alex Ferguson. 

Alex Ferguson's pose in the statue has yet to be revealed, with Manchester United fans speculating on whether it will be a celebration, with a trophy or even tapping his watch.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has paid tribute to his great rival Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of the new statue. Wenger has had many heated duels with the Scot over the years but in recent times their rivalry has blossomed into that of great mutual respect between the two.

The Gunners boss still holds his old enemy in the highest regard and expects United to struggle when they eventually have to search for his successor.

"I don't remember anybody else being at the top, top level for such a long time," Wenger said. "In some ways it is scary as well because you think when this guy leaves the club, no matter of the quality of who comes in after him, it will be a huge hole.

"The club will be destabilised even if the guy who comes after him is top quality because the print of everything, the life of everything, revolves around Ferguson so much at Manchester United. He has to be immortal so the club doesn't suffer!

"His commitment is always there, you never feel that his commitment is weakened. What I admire maybe the most in him is his forward-thinking. He is always ready to move with the times and never speaks about what he has done before.

"He knows when to renew the team, when you have to make changes, and that is exceptional because you can sometimes be a little bit lazy when you have so much success. He's never been like that, he's always on his toes and he can renew what is needed, when it is needed.

"It is a job where you need to dedicate your life to football and Ferguson has done that and that deserves massive respect. He has won absolutely everything and, of course, that is something exceptional.''

Manchester United commissioned award-winning sculptor Philip Jackson to create the 9ft bronze statue which will be placed outside Old Trafford's recently renamed North Stand. It is to celebrate 70-year-old's Ferguson's incredible career at the club. 

Jackson said: 'I have met Sir Alex on a number of occasions and he is a very nice chap. I took a lot of pictures of him and watched a lot film.  

'You have to get to know the subject. He came down to see the clay sculpture and he seemed very pleased.'

The statue is being unveiled at 2pm on Friday, with a large crowd expected to gather at the ground. Ferguson is set to attend, along with Sir Bobby Charlton and United management.