Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson helped Birmingham City sign Barcelona midfielder Alex Hleb yesterday.
The Sun says former Arsenal midfielder Hleb needed a work permit before he could move to St Andrew's, with boss Alex McLeish travelling to London yesterday to plead his case.
And in order to strengthen his hand, McLeish carried a testimonial from Manchester United chief Fergie - his old Aberdeen manager - stating Hleb would be a major asset to the Premier League side.
That helped persuade officials to decide that Hleb, 29, deserved his permit.
He joins on loan from Barcelona with a view to a permanent three-year deal at the end of the season. Hleb is Blues' seventh summer signing and the third on deadline day.
