Sir Alex Ferguson will have another familiar face to contend with in the Premiership next term, following Derby County's promotion via the play-offs.

Derby boss Billy Davies is from the same Govan area of Glasgow as Sir Alex and their fathers worked together in the shipyard. And as a young player, Davies tried to earn a contract with St Mirren but was turned down by the future Aberdeen and United manager.

"Young Billy came to me as a fabulous little player when I was in my first managerial job at St Mirren," recalled Sir Alex.

"He was talented but I didn't sign him and he reminds me every time I see him. Ally McCoist is another I didn't sign then and who went on, like Billy, to have a marvellous career.

"When we meet it is always the same... if I didn't sign them, how could I possibly know anything about the game? The truth was I was only in and out at St Mirren. I wasn't there long enough to sign them before I moved to manage Aberdeen. It didn't hold them back.

"He (Billy) knows what he's doing, he makes an impact, you can see he is totally involved. Look at the way he reacts on the touchline. I've had to text him a few times to tell him his actions are not becoming a Govan boy!"

Like Sir Alex, Billy Davies believes his success owes a lot to his upbringing.

"We were a very working-class family," says Derby boss Davies.

"It was a very similar upbringing to Fergie and I  just