Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was full of praise for his one-time rival Arsene Wenger.

Wenger came to Arsenal in 1996 and took the Premier League by storm. His team won the double in 1997-1998 and 2001-2002, and won the Premier League in 2003-2004. The latter Premier League triumph was achieved without losing a single game - a feat no other Premier League side has equalled.

"I am really happy for Arsene Wenger. I have great respect for him and for the job he has done at Arsenal," Ferguson said to Sky Sports.

"It is a great testament to his talent, professionalism and determination that he has been able to dedicate 22 years of his life to a job he loves.

"In an area where football managers sometimes only last one or two seasons, it shows what an achievement it is to serve that length of time at a club the size of Arsenal.

"I am pleased that he has announced he is leaving at this stage of the season, as he can now have the send-off that he truly deserves.

"He is, without doubt, one of the greatest Premier League managers and I am proud to have been a rival, a colleague and a friend to such a great man."