LEARNING FROM THE MASTER

Gray opens up on the moments that made him

- BY FRASER WILSON

SIR ALEX FERGUSON was in his office with less than an hour to go before a Premier League clash against Everton kicked off at Old Trafford.

He had named his Manchester United starting XI and left the home dressing-room to return to his personal space at a time when managers would normally be consumed by last-minute thoughts.

But another important job was occupying the legendary boss.

Namely convincing 16-year-old David Gray - and more to the point his parents Elaine and Peter - to sign up for his Red Devils.

Gray will never forget the moment. How could the boyhood United fan?

As a top-level manager himself now, 21 years later, he still can't believe it ever happened.

But those were the lengths that arguably the greatest ever manager to have lived would go to make sure he signed the best young talent.

From there on, it was on the talented teens to match Fergie's standards, professionalism and work ethic to give themselves the best chance in the game.

Gray would only ever make one top-team appearance for United, starting a 2-1 League Cup win at Crewe in 2006.

After that he headed out on loan to Royal Antwerp and Plymouth and forged an impressive career that culminated in him being crowned a Hibs legend.

But he maintains the standards that coursed through Old Trafford two decades ago helped drive his entire playing career.

And in a rare look back at his time at the club, Gray admits those values remain crucial now as a young manager on his own path at Easter Road.

"Definitely," he said. "Those years helped set a standard I've kept for my whole career.