THE first person Alex Ferguson saw when he arrived at the Manor Ground in November 1986 was Mick Thorne.

The lifelong Manchester United fan from Botley waited for the squad to arrive so he could welcome Ron Atkinson’s successor.

He said: “He got off the coach and I just said ‘congratulations on your appointment’. He shook my hand and walked straight into the ground.”

Thorne has been following the club for half a century and became involved in the local branch of the Manchester United Supporters’ Club in 1975.

Now 68, he helps organise two regular coaches of supporters going up to Old Trafford.

He will be there on Sunday for Ferguson’s final home game, against Swansea City.

As for a new boss, he reckons Jose Mourinho or David Moyes.