Manchester United just haven't been the same since Sir Alex Ferguson hung up his hairdryer.

Jose Mourinho is looking to launch the Red Devils' first tangible title charge since the Scot's retirement but even the Special One can only dream of the standards set by Ferguson.

During his mammoth 27 year stay at Old Trafford, the 75-year-old accumulated (brace yourselves) 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, two Champions Leagues and that's just the major honours.

In his tenure with United spanning numerous decades and eras, he commanded numerous XIs and players but his footballing ethos always transpired onto the pitch.

Ferguson would always encourage exciting and attacking football, owing to Louis van Gaal's negative play and Mourinho's bus parking striking such a contrast.

Furthermore, the Red Devils became certified experts at late goals and winners. Ever since Steve Bruce's title winning brace deep into stoppage time in 1993, United have been renowned for the now notorious 'Fergie Time.'

In a recent appearance at Salford - owned by the class of Class of '92 - he discussed this very trope of his United career after opening the club's new stadium.

As part of a brilliant speech, the 75-year-old explained: "When that team of mine went out onto the field at Old Trafford, they never let me down. 

"Obviously we didn't win every game, we'd have loved, we tried to, but you know something they never did? They never gave in.

"You look at the last minute goals United scored, that wasn't because of ability but because they never gave in. They just bang, bang, banged the door and eventually it broke down.

"Do you know how many last minute goals we had in my time? 166.

"We scored over 200 goals in the last 15 minutes. That's nothing to do with me, it's because of these lads - they never gave in."

It's a sobering insight into the driving force of English football's most successful ever club.

Ferguson certainly had no shortage of fighters in his teams to ensure victory when the game depending on its closing seconds - Roy Keane, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville, Wayne Rooney, the list goes on.

So it's perhaps no surprise that you could never write off United, no matter the time.

That being said, a certain Mark Hughes might diagnose some rather inconsistent fourth officials as opposed to hard work...

Do you think Sir Alex Ferguson is the greatest manager of all time? Have your say in the comments section below.