Charlton urged the club to appoint the then Aberdeen manager Ferguson back in 1986 in his role as director at Old Trafford. Now, 25 trophy-laden years on, Ferguson has had the North Stand at Old Trafford named after him as a tribute to his remarkable achievements at the club. The 69-year-old failed to win any trophies in his first three years with the Red Devils and was rumoured to be close to the sack. However, Charlton has refuted those suggestions and insists he always had the board's full backing. "There wasn't one board meeting where it was brought up. Never," Charlton told the Sunday Telegraph. "He knew what he was doing. "You could see the growth of the young players, and we knew it was only a matter of being patient. And we were patient, because we knew that he was still the man for the job. "We ran the club, but the playing side was left to him. He was a genius. He is a genius." Much of Ferguson's success and longevity has been based on his ability to dismantle and rebuild different sides over the years and bring through generations of young players. Charlton feels that skill sets him apart from the rest and that his track record is one that will never be surpassed. He added: "There was nobody better than he was. And his record will now stand forever. I can't see anybody beating it in my lifetime. "When you think one or two injuries might have made the difference, he's brought in a couple of younger players when people think they're too young. But he doesn't. He's just marvellous."
