Fergie should be admired, says fellow Scot Steve Clarke

ALEX FERGUSON has been told to carry on being a grumpy old man for a while yet — as he celebrates his 71st birthday today .

The Manchester United boss will enjoy a well-deserved drink with his side seven points clear of rivals Manchester City.

He was all smiles as his team had a relatively comfortable afternoon against West Brom on Saturday — in contrast to his angry rows with officials on Boxing Day.

But fellow Scot Steve Clarke believes Fergie could be the last of his kind and should be admired while he is still going.

The Baggies boss said: “I have met a few grumpy 70-year-olds — he is a typical grumpy Scot. He likes to go chasing and he hasn’t lost his hunger or his desire.

“I worked with Sir Bobby Robson at a similar age and he was maybe not quite as aggressive but he had that determination and will to win. It is great to see.”

Clarke admits the demand for instant success and the rewards it brings means there is unlikely to be another Ferguson, who has been at Old Trafford for over a quarter of a century.

He added: “I don’t know if I’d last until 71.

“I think it would be great to think there could be someone like that in the future, someone who has that longevity. But the way the game has gone it is more short term.

“It will be really difficult, if not impossible, to match his achievements. That goes without saying. It will be much harder to build a dynasty and be in a job as long as he has been.”

Fergie admitted he was cheered by the display of fit-again skipper Nemanja Vidic.

But the big Serbian, 31, has admitted it will take at least two months before he is back to his best.

Vidic completed just his second game of a comeback from knee surgery in the defeat of Albion.

He certainly made his presence felt, guiding United’s defence to only their fourth clean sheet in the League this season.

However, Vidic is refusing to accept his comeback is complete. After virtually 16 months on the sidelines, including rupturing his cruciate during the Euro shock defeat by Basel last December, he knows there is plenty of work ahead.

He said: “The doctor is managing the games I am playing at the moment. Over the first two or three months I have to really look at that because sometimes I might have a reaction.

“This is a process I have to go through.

“I am glad I have managed to play after three months. It is nice to be on the pitch and playing games.

“Hopefully I can play more often so I can build my form and play better.”