Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was also able to celebrate three points today, courtesy of a scrappy 1-0 win over Sunderland, but the headlines were grabbed by the announcement that the huge north stand at Old Trafford was being renamed the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand.

The 69-year-old had walked onto the pitch through a guard of honour made up of both teams and Sunderland boss Steve Bruce, who lifted the first Premier League title of Ferguson's rein in 1993, before United chief executive David Gill revealed the club's permanent tribute.

It is the first time in the stadium's 101-year history a stand has been named after an individual, while a statue of Ferguson will also be erected outside, hopefully in time for the start of next season.