Sir Alex Ferguson’s first-ever United team-sheet up for auction

PanARMENIAN.Net - As Manchester United prepare for life without Sir Alex Ferguson for the first time since 1986, Sportsmail can reveal the team-sheet for the legendary manager's first game in charge, dailymail.co.uk reported.

Handwritten ahead of a disappointing 2-0 loss to Oxford United on November 8 1986, the historic item is being auctioned off in Devizes, Wiltshire and is expected to reach £2000.

The list, which is signed by the manager in the appropriate field a the bottom, reveals the state of United's squad when Ferguson took over.

Celebrated stars like Paul McGrath and stalwarts such as Arthur Albiston feature, alongside less-remembered players like keeper Chris Turner and Graeme Hogg.

None of Ferguson's famous early signings or youth graduates, like Peter Schmeichel or Ryan Giggs, were yet at Old Trafford.

It offers stark contrast to his final team-sheet, for the 5-5 thriller away at West Brom.

Also hand-written - although not by Ferguson - it shows a mix of international stars like Robin Van Persie and captain Michael Carrick with fringe players like Alex Buttner also getting a run-out.

United stalwarts Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, who was also appearing for the last time, are named on the bench.

However, David De Gea's deputy Anders Lindegaard, handed a rare start, was spelt incorrectly, with a rogue letter 'r' appearing in his name.