Mike Phelan actually did NOT know about the North Stand being named after Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Daily Mail says the naming of Manchester United's North Stand in honour of Ferguson took place amid such secrecy that only eight people at the club knew about it.

Ferguson looked astonished when the tribute was revealed before kick-off on Saturday and it has emerged that only chief executive David Gill and seven other staff members were aware of the plan.

The sign was put up on Thursday night after the tours of Old Trafford had finished.

After the game, Ferguson joked that assistant Mike Phelan would be sacked for keeping the stunt from him. As it transpired, Phelan didn't know either.