Alex Ferguson retires: the key components in the making of English football's most successful manager The recent thaw, which resulted in Robin Van Persie moving between the clubs, is the clearest evidence of Arsenal's decline: as far as Ferguson was concerned Wenger no longer represented a threat. Jose Mourinho Their relationship was cordial, the wine fine and frequent, but Ferguson undoubtedly recognised the Portuguese as the most significant challenge of his tenure. Winning the title back after Mourinho appeared to have corralled it, was a huge return to form for Ferguson, a man who appeared a busted flush. Rafael Benítez The Spaniard visibly prickled at the Premier League's masonic order of management of which Ferguson was the undoubted godfather. He may have outwitted the United boss on several one-off engagements, but his fact-based meltdown suggested he would never get the better of him across a season. Roberto Mancini Grabbing the initiative back from the hugely resourced noisy neighbours might well be considered Ferguson's finest achievement in management. After Mancini won the title in 2012 it appeared as if the blue moon was in the ascendant, only for Ferguson to remind everyone that the dominant colour was red. Best signings Peter Schmeichel The best goalkeeper in Premier League history cost less than a million pounds when he was bought in from Denmark. A mark of his significance was the time it took Ferguson adequately to replace him. Though there is a school of thought which insists he never did. Eric Cantona At £1.2million, the Frenchman is the finest pound for pound signing of the manager's 26-year United career. Everything he did was with a ground-breaking panache. Even his retirement - sudden, unexpected, at the top of his game - appears to have set a precedent. Roy Keane Ferguson's spirit and conscience on the pitch, for 10 years the Irishman prowled and growled, chivvying the rest into eye-popping - and trophy-winning - levels of commitment. Cristiano Ronaldo He did not come cheap, but from the moment he performed his first stepover the Portuguese proved himself the most skilful player to grace Old Trafford since George Best. Ask any United fan and he is the first signing they would wish Ferguson's successor to make. Robin Van Persie The player who won the title. By appealing to the little boy in him, Ferguson persuaded the former Arsenal stalwart to wear red rather than sky blue. It is no exaggeration to suggest had he gone to the Etihad, Ferguson would be retiring in possession of only 12 titles. Victories Nottingham Forest, 1990 Mark Robins scored the goal that kept Ferguson in his job. Or at least that is the legend. Martin Edwards, the then chairman, insists there were no plans to remove him from his post. Which is just as well. As good a manager as Howard Kendall, his mooted replacement, may have been, it is unlikely he would have accumulated 13 titles. Sheffield Wednesday, 1993 The first flowering of Fergie Time, saw Steve Bruce head Ferguson in the direction of his first title. Psychologically, it was the moment the belief surged through his team that they could indeed be serial winners. Bayern Munich, 1999 The finest moment in his career, when the Champions League was won at the death. Legend has it he still has copies of the first editions of several newspapers which ran with the assumption of his defeat. A nice reminder of those with little faith. AS Roma, 2007 A 7-1 victory beautiful in its ruthlessness, over a fancied Italian side, signalled the start of Ferguson's most persuasive period of European competition. With Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs and Scholes at their peak, the Champions League itself was secured the following year, with two more finals to come. Winning the 20th title, 2013 To come back against a side as richly endowed as Manchester City was an achievement of real skill and determination. Hairdryer moments Beckham and the boot Tiring of the celebrity circus surrounding him, the manager kicked a boot in anger in the dressing room which struck Beckham above the eye. It signalled the end of a long relationship, and Beckham was gone within weeks. Alan Green The Radio Five Live commentator was but one of many in the media to feel the full force of Ferguson's temper. It was done largely to frighten others into steady compliance, a tactic which has not always worked. Eric Cantona after his kung-fu kick. Ferguson claims it was the only time he lost his temper with Cantona. Lee Sharpe remembers it slightly differently. He has worked the incident up into an after-dinner comedy routine, recalling how Ferguson was furious that night, effing and blinding at everyone in the dressing room. "Then he sees Cantona and he unleashes both barrels at him, really gives him what for: 'Eric, old son, do you think maybe that wasn't such a good idea?"" The fan at the 2004 AGM When a supporter unfavourably compared Juan Sebastian Veron to one of Ferguson's racehorses, the manager erupted. Never mind the niceties of a public meeting, he was happy to call the man an idiot in public. Cuneyt Cakir So furious was Ferguson with the referee who sent off Nani in this year's Champions League tie with Real Madrid, he ceded advantage to his old rival Jose Mourinho. While Ferguson raged on the touchline, the Madrid boss made the tactical change which altered the direction of the match. It was not Ferguson's finest hour, and may well have contributed to his decision to retire.