“We had so many injuries. So him and his assistant have to kit on and play. Both Alex Ferguson and his Assistant scored. It was unbelievable.”- FANS ARE SHOCKED after just realising that Sir Alex Ferguson made one appearance as a Man Utd player.

Sir Alex Ferguson is celebrated as the greatest manager in Manchester United’s illustrious history, with a staggering 38 trophies won during his 26-year reign. But did you know that Ferguson once played a game for United?

Yes, back in November 1987, during Ferguson’s first full season as manager, United traveled to the Caribbean for two mid-season friendlies. The games included a 4-1 victory over the Bermuda national team and a clash with Bermudian Premier Division side Somerset Trojans. It was in the latter match that Ferguson made an unexpected appearance on the pitch.

The story unfolded after United suffered multiple injuries in their game against Bermuda, leaving them short on players for the Somerset game. To fill the gaps, both Ferguson, then 45, and his assistant Archie Knox, 40, came on as second-half substitutes. Reports suggest Ferguson came close to scoring with a header, while Knox managed to net a long-range goal.

Former Somerset Trojans goalkeeper Llewellyn Simmons recalled the experience in a 2013 interview with the Bermuda Sun. “It was humorous because he was in his 40s, and we teased him about how easy it would be to get past this old man,” Simmons said.

Interestingly, these friendlies were reportedly tied to the transfer of Bermudian footballer Shaun Goater to United. Although Goater later left United and became a Manchester City legend, the games in Bermuda remain a curious chapter in Ferguson’s career.

A fan on Reddit once shared: “When Fergie came on, the Trojans bench mocked him relentlessly for being slow. Later that evening, he got into a heated debate at a cocktail party with my Scottish friend, who called out Fergie for his rough playing style back in his Falkirk days.”

This wasn’t Ferguson’s only cameo as a player-manager. In his autobiography, he recounted a similar moment during a tour of the Caribbean with St. Mirren. Frustrated by a lack of protection for one of his players, Ferguson subbed himself on to confront an opposing defender. He later admitted he took matters too far and was sent off after exacting “a bit of revenge.”

Despite his legendary status as a manager, Ferguson’s brief forays onto the pitch offer a glimpse into the fiery personality and competitive spirit that defined his career. As one fan put it: “How did I not know this?!”