Here Press Association Sport looks at some of those who followed Ferguson into the managerial dug-out.
BRYAN ROBSON
Ferguson's first captain at Old Trafford took Middlesbrough into the Premier League and both League Cup and FA Cup finals in 1997
Later in charge of Bradford, West Brom - where he suffered relegation from the Premier League - and Sheffield United.
STEVE BRUCE
Managed no fewer than eight clubs in 17 years and has had a few promotions and relegations along the way at Sheffield United, Wigan, Huddersfield, Crystal Palace, Birmingham, Wigan, Sunderland and current club Hull.
MARK HUGHES
Arguably the most successful of Ferguson's players in domestic management
Almost steered Wales to Euro 2004 before embarking on a top-flight career at Blackburn, Manchester City, Fulham, QPR and Stoke, where his star has been on the rise again.
ROY KEANE
Combustible character who produced more headlines than victories at Sunderland and Ipswich and has spent the last couple of years as an assistant at Aston Villa and latterly with the Republic of Ireland, helping his country to Euro 2016 alongside Martin O'Neill.
GORDON STRACHAN
Relegated at Coventry, he took Southampton to the 2003 FA Cup final before claiming a title hat-trick at Celtic
Flopped at Middlesbrough before becoming Scotland manager in 2013, but he failed to take his country to Euro 2016 next summer.
PAUL INCE
Enjoyed early success and silverware at MK Dons but never recovered after his Premier League opportunity at Blackburn turned sour
Spent just six months at Ewood Park before he was fired and failed to shine in later spells at MK Dons, Notts County and Blackpool.
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER
Tipped as a future United manager after winning two Norwegian titles at unfashionable Molde before an ill-fated Premier League spell damaged his reputation
Relegated and sacked at Cardiff, he is now attempting to rebuild his career back at Molde.
TEDDY SHERINGHAM
Cut his coaching teeth at West Ham before being appointed manager of League Two Stevenage in May 2015
Endured a tricky start to management by winning only two of his first 14 games in charge but is currently enjoying a five-game unbeaten run.
LAURENT BLANC
Spent two seasons at United before retiring as a player and embarking on a managerial career at Bordeaux, where he won the French League title
Led France for two years from 2010-12 and has since been with Paris St Germain, where he has won the league in his two seasons in charge.
DARREN FERGUSON
Ferguson's son enjoyed spectacular early success with back-to-back promotions at Peterborough but a spell at Preston never worked out
Returned to Peterborough to sample promotion and relegation to and from the Championship, and was recently appointed Doncaster boss.
MARK ROBINS
Best known for the FA Cup goal which supposedly kept Ferguson in a job at United in 1990, the former striker has operated in the lower leagues and been in charge of five different clubs in the last decade - Rotherham, Barnsley, Coventry, Huddersfield and current club Scunthorpe.
HENNING BERG
Managed Lyn and Lillestrom in his native Norway before a short-lived spell at former club Blackburn in 2012 lasted only 57 days
Guided Legia Warsaw to the Polish title in his first full season in charge but left in October after less than two years in charge.
Source : PA
Source: PA