Sir Alex Ferguson takes Pep Guardiola for title celebration dinner to prove Man City noisy neighbour feud is over

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2018 by Thesun.co.uk

SIR ALEX FERGUSON has ended his feud with his noisy neighbours - by taking Pep Guardiola to dinner to congratulate him on winning the Premier League.

The legendary former Reds manager invited his Man City counterpart out just days after the Blues sealed the title when United were humbled 1-0 at home by West Brom.

Sir Alex Ferguson takes Pep Guardiola for title celebration dinner to prove Man City noisy neighbour feud is over
Sir Alex Ferguson took Pep Guardiola out for dinner to prove the United-City rivalry is a thing of the past

Sir Alex, 76, famously labelled City a "noisy neighbour" in 2009 when United came out on top 3-2 in a thrilling derby.

He said at the time: "Sometimes you have a noisy neighbour. You cannot do anything about that. They will always be noisy.

"You just have to get on with your life, put your television on and turn it up a bit louder.

"Today the players showed their form. That is the best answer of all."

Pep Guardiola led Manchester City to the Premier League title this season - and was rewarded by a dinner from Fergie

But the fiery Scot has mellowed in retirement and was quick to offer the hand of friendship to Pep, 47, who outwitted him in two Champions League finals while at Barcelona.

A source said: "Sir Alex is very generous and just loves football. He really enjoys talking about the game and has enjoyed what Pep has brought to the Premier League, even if it means City have stolen a march on United at the moment.

"Now he's away from the dugout, Sir Alex can see the bigger picture and just likes talking football with other top footballing brains."

It is not the first time the pair have dined together.

Last year the Spaniard revealed Sir Alex tried to persuade him to move to Old Trafford while he was on a sabbatical after leaving Barca.

The pair met for dinner in New York in 2012 - and Sir Alex later said he told Pep to consider United if he was looking to get back into football.

Pep later said he had no recollection of the job offer, adding: "In that period, my English was not good, and maybe I didn't understand him.

"But I don't remember, when we were in a magnificent restaurant having dinner, that he suggested to me that I should go to Old Trafford. I don't remember.

"I know he said that, but I don't remember. We spoke about life, about football of course, about the Premier League, but he never sent me a message under the table to say: 'Maybe, you know, United will be involved,' or something like that. I don't remember that.

"It was just two friends, two colleagues in football, talking about many, many things.

"When he spoke really fast, it was difficult to understand him.

"But it was nice because he chose an amazing restaurant, and of course he paid."