MANCHESTER, England — Current and former Manchester United stars huddled under umbrellas outside Old Trafford on Friday for the unveiling of a 2.75-meter bronze statue of manager Alex Ferguson.

Eric Cantona, Peter Schmeichel and Ruud van Nistelrooy, as well as Wayne Rooney and the entire United first team squad were among the guests. Over 2,000 United fans also came, some carrying banners that read "Sir Alex the Great".

"Normally people die before they see their statue, I'm outliving death," said an emotional Ferguson, who has been United's manager for more than 26 years. Rain sprinkled onto the statue, which depicts the manager in typical Ferguson-fashion, arms crossed.