Why Sir Alex Ferguson will miss Man Utd's clash with Brentford after being axed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Talks between the pair are believed to have been amicable.

But it is still a decision that has raised eyebrows, with the likes of Eric Cantona, Rio Ferdinand, Dwight Yorke and Graeme Souness hitting out at Ratcliffe in the time since.

In addition to being given the boot, Ferguson has also been told to stay away from the United dressing room.

Yet the fact that he won't attend today's match against Brentford has nothing to do with the Scot losing his job at the club.

Instead, it's been claimed that Ferguson has a 'prior engagement' - with the Daily Mail saying his no-show was long in the making.

United go into the clash with Brentford desperately needing to claim all three points.

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They have endured a torrid start to the season under Erik ten Hag, with the Dutchman's team picking up just eight points from seven matches so far.

United had been widely expected to part ways with the 54-year-old during the international break.

Thomas Tuchel was heavily backed to replace Ten Hag but the German has since taken charge of England.

Ten Hag's position is safe for the time being but another disastrous result could prompt Ratcliffe into wielding the axe.

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Speaking prior to the clash, at a press conference, the Dutchman hit out at reports saying his job was on the line.

“The only noise is coming from some of you guys in the media, bringing up stories, creating fairytales, bringing lies because we are all on one page this club,” he said.

“Internally in the club it is quiet.

“Of course, we are discussing the position where we are. We are unhappy with the position we are in and we have to turn to the corner but ultimately we are quiet, we are composed, we stay where we are, we stick to the plan and we are very convinced we will make a success.”

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Ten Hag also insisted United's performances were good, despite their wretched run of form.

“We have to climb a mountain," he said.

"That is top football. "Sometimes you have to face challenges, sometimes it goes up, sometimes it goes down, I am sure we will make a success as we did in the last two seasons.

"We are in a direction, underneath I see the good things, good patterns and good stats but of course we are where we are and that is not good enough.”

United beat Brentford 2-1 in the same fixture last season.

The Red Devils had looked certain to lose, only for Scott McTominay to score a brilliant late brace to secure all three points for his side.