Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson made his feelings loud and clear after an awkward — and inappropriate — request at the funeral service for Kath Phipps.
Kath Phipps was the longstanding receptionist at Old Trafford and she spent more than 50 years working at Manchester United.
The beloved United figure was a childhood Red Devils supporter and was at the Premier League club when the legendary Sir Matt Busby was in the dugout.
Kath Phipps passed away at the age of 85 in December 2024 and the United legend was met with a flood of tributes from past and current players.
The funeral service for the former United employee was held on Monday at Manchester Cathedral, with Sir Alex Ferguson among the attendees.
United legends David Beckham, Peter Schmeichel and Roy Keane were all at the service, while Ruben Amorin and his Red Devils first-team players also attended.
Ferguson shuts down request at Phipps’ funeral
Sir Alex Ferguson, who is widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time, delivered his eulogy for Kath Phipps at the Manchester Cathedral on Monday.
The 83-year-old legendary former Manchester United manager spoke highly of Phipps and praised the much-loved figure’s incredible service.
According to The Daily Mail, Ferguson ‘paused’ to take photos with United fans in the ‘icy conditions’ before ‘getting into a waiting car.’
However, the newspaper reports that the Aberdeen and United legend was at one point ‘confronted’ with a United shirt and a pen for him to sign.
Ferguson ruthlessly — and rightfully — shut down the request to sign the United shirt, considering the main reason why he was at the Manchester Cathedral.
Responding to the situation, he said: “I’m not signing anything!”
Ferguson’s touching tribute to Phipps
Ferguson bowed out of Old Trafford in 2013 as United manager after the Red Devils captured their last Premier League title in the 2012-13 campaign.
However, the former Aberdeen manager has remained an ever-present figure at Old Trafford and Ferguson paid tribute to Phipps when he spoke with reporters.
“You can’t think of a moment when she didn’t enjoy her life,” he told the BBC.
“She was a really United person. I can’t think of a day she had off. 55 years. I did 26 and I thought that was unbelievable.
“She was a fantastic person, and I’m really glad all the players turned out. She would appreciate that.”
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