GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Alex Ferguson turned up to watch former club Aberdeen on Saturday after it emerged this week that his lucrative role as Manchester United ambassador would end.
Ferguson, who won 28 major trophies as the United manager, has been a global ambassador for the club since retiring in 2013. But the role worth millions of dollars will cease at the end of the season in a cost-cutting move.
It was reported Ferguson, who has regularly attended United games since retiring, had a prior engagement and planned to miss United's game against Brentford at Old Trafford.
He was pictured in the crowd at Celtic Park in Glasgow to watch Celtic host Aberdeen in the Scottish league.
Ferguson won 10 major trophies as Aberdeen manager before leaving to join United in 1986.
Aberdeen has enjoyed an outstanding start to the season, winning all of its 13 games before playing Celtic.
That run ended on Saturday, but Aberdeen secured an impressive 2-2 draw against the Scottish champion after fighting back from 2-0 down.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson reacts in the stands before the Scottish Premiership soccer match between Celtic and Aberdeen, at Celtic Park, in Glasgow, Scotland, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Alejandro Garnacho scored from a brilliant volley as Manchester United fought back to beat Brentford 2-1 in the English Premier League on Saturday.
The Argentina international fired home from a tight angle when connecting with Marcus Rashford’s cross just after halftime.
It sparked a comeback that saw Rasmus Hojlund hit the winner to secure United only its third league victory and ease the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.
“In this team you see its togetherness and there is a fighting spirit,” Ten Hag said. “And today we add some determination to score goals and that is what we needed.”
Aston Villa tightened up the top of the standings by moving to within a point of idle leader Liverpool after beating Fulham 3-1. Brighton was three points off the pace after winning at Newcastle 1-0. Tottenham scored three times in eight minutes in a 4-1 win over West Ham.
United was reeling from its worst season start in the Premier League era heading into Saturday's game and it looked like being another disappointing day for Ten Hag, who was angered when Ethan Pinnock opened the scoring for Brentford in contentious circumstances in first-half added time.
United defender Matthijs de Ligt was ordered off for medical attention on his bleeding head from a collision. It left the home team down a man as Brentford prepared to take a corner and Pinnock headed over the line in the fifth minute of added time.
United responded quickly after the break thanks to Garnacho’s goal in the 47th.
Hojlund flicked past Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken for the winner in the 62nd.
“We don't score enough, we are not clinical enough. But today we scored two brilliant goals,” Ten Hag said. “It's only one win, but it can help us.”
Villa was up to fourth after coming back from going a goal down at Craven Cottage when Raul Jimenez fired Fulham in front in the fifth minute.
Morgan Rogers quickly leveled four minutes later and Ollie Watkins made it 2-1 in the 59th. An Issa Diop own goal in the 69th completed the scoring.
Leading 2-0 after 28 minutes at St Mary’s Stadium, last-placed Southampton looked on course for its first league win.
Leicester had other ideas.
Second-half goals from Facundo Buonanotte, Jamie Vardy from the penalty spot, and Jordan Ayew secured an unlikely comeback that left Southampton rooted to the bottom of the table and moved Leicester six points clear of the relegation zone.
Also, Everton won at Ipswich 2-0 to move five points above the relegation zone.
Brighton’s impressive start under coach Fabian Hurzeler continued with the win at Newcastle.
Hurzeler, born in Texas, has made his presence felt in England’s top flight following his appointment in the offseason.
Hurzeler is also working wonders with Danny Welbeck, who scored in the 35th at St James’ Park, his fifth goal of the season.
Tottenham trailed to Mohammed Kudus' 18th-minute goal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but powered back with a brilliant second-half performance.
Dejan Kulusevski leveled in the 36th and after the break the home team took control. Yves Bissouma struck in the 52nd and Alphonse Areola scored an own goal three minutes later.
Son Heung-min added a fourth on the hour mark.
West Ham was reduced to 10 men in the 86th when Kudus was sent off for pushing Micky van de Ven in an angry confrontation.
James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Ipswich Town's Sammie Szmodics is challenged by Everton's Ashley Young, left, and Jack Harrison, right, during the English Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Everton at Portman Road, Ipswich, Saturday Oct. 19, 2024. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez celebrates in front of the fans after the final whistle in the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Aston Villa at Craven Cottage, London, Saturday Oct. 19, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)
Aston Villa's Amadou Onana celebrates their side's third goal of the game, via an own-goal scored by Fulham's Issa Diop during the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Aston Villa at Craven Cottage in London, Saturday Oct. 19, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)
Leicester City's Jamie Vardy celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game , during the English Premier League soccer match between Southampton and Leicester City, at St Mary's Stadium, in Southampton, England, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Brentford at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Manchester United's Matthijs de Ligt reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Brentford at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag applauds to supporters before the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Brentford at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Fans watch from the stands during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Brentford at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho reacts after missing a chance to score during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Brentford at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag, right, and Brentford's head coach Thomas Frank react during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Brentford at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-Min, left, celebrates scoring with fans during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Saturday Oct. 19, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)
Tottenham Hotspur's Dejan Kulusevski, center, celebrates scoring with teammates during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Saturday Oct. 19, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)
