Birthday defeat a first for Fergie at United

The media are certain to generate many column inches out of the fact that Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers coincided with Sir Alex Ferguson’s 70th birthday celebrations. Steve Kean’s struggling Rovers spoiled the party at Old Trafford – but how successful have Fergie’s birthdays been in the past for the Red Devils?

Since becoming United manager in 1986, the Red Devils have been in action on three occasions on Fergie’s birthday.

Saturday’s shock 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Blackburn was the third such occasion – but was the first time Sir Alex has had to swallow the bitter pill of a birthday defeat since taking the reigns at United.

On New Year’s Eve 1994, with Sir Alex celebrating his 53rd birthday, United travelled to Southampton and claimed a 2-2 draw at the Dell.

Nicky Butt and Gary Pallister scored second-half goals for United, with the 19-year-old Butt scoring his first ever senior goal during the south coast encounter.

11 years on, and Sir Alex was in the dugout for his birthday once again. Bolton Wanderers were the visitors to Old Trafford, and United stormed to a 4-1 win in this festive Lancashire derby.

Trotters defender Bruno N’Gotty scored an own goal, before a goal from Louis Saha and a brace from Cristiano Ronaldo ensured the Reds ended 2005 with a bang.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s birthday record at Manchester United:

31st December, 1994 – Southampton 2-2 Manchester United (Att: 16,708)
31st December, 2005 – Manchester United 4-1 Bolton Wanderers (Att: 67,858)
31st December, 2011 – Manchester United 2-3 Blackburn Rovers (Att: 75,146)