Sir Alex: United Gave City A Lift

Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to the people of Manchester and says Manchester United's Europa League triumph gave the city a lift after Monday's terror attack.

The former Old Trafford boss told Sky Sports News HQ that he was proud of United's performance as they beat Ajax 2-0 in Sweden to win the Europa League and secure qualification for next season's Champions League.

Ferguson was speaking at an event in Glasgow to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions becoming the first British team to win the European Cup and he hailed Jose Mourinho's side following a tragic week for Manchester.

"I think, first of all, Manchester is a city like Glasgow, it is a working class city, we have fantastic people there and they will get together," he said.

"They have been through some difficult times in the past with the bombing in the Arndale Centre in 1996 and they recovered from that.

"They will get together because there is a working class ethic about them and there is a great unity now in the city.

"I think United last night gave the city a lift and I think that was what it was about. We are all proud of them, it was a great achievement."

Credit: Skysports.com