The 44 days Brian Clough took charge of Leeds United in 1974 were a spectacular failure, immortalised in a best-selling book by David Peace and a blockbuster film by Tom Hooper.

With no World Cup or European championship on the menu this summer, Manchester’s soccer stars will be jetting off on their holidays before pre-season training commences in mid-July.

In a survey conducted by bookmakers Ladbrokes, it was revealed that the public deemed Sir Alex the second most controversial sports manager of all time.