Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson told a CST lunch today that ousted manager David Moyes was “dignified”, had great integrity and was a hard worker in what appear to be his first public comments on the sacking of his successor.

Over 200 people attended the fundraising lunch , organised by the antisemitism research and security charity.

They heard Sir Alex admit "it has been a bad week for Manchester United", but was pleased to see Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and other players from the 'Class of 92' in charge while the club looks for a new manager.

At the city centre Midland Hotel, Sir Alex was interviewed by Sky News presenter Eamonn Holmes at length about his career and new life following his retirement as Manchester United manager last year.

He also re-enacted the moment he was first recruited to the Red Devils managership by non-executive director Michael Edelson, who faked a Scottish accent to speak to the then Aberdeen FC manager without detection.

Mr Edelson, who is also CST's northern regional chairman, was instrumental in appointing Sir Alex as United's manager in November 1986.