Premier League giants Man United have paid tribute to Rangers legend and former assistant manager Walter Smith at Old Trafford.
Smith – who passed away last week at the age of 73 – spent a short spell as an assistant at the legendary Premier League club during its time under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Smith and Ferguson remained close friends throughout both of their careers, and it was a nice touch to pay tribute to Sir Walter prior to kick off in the Manchester Derby.
The tribute also came as Manchester United paid tribute to those fallen soldiers in both World Wars as part of the club’s Remembrance Day tributes.
Interestingly, the special tribute to Smith came on the 35th anniversary of Sir Alex Ferguson’s appointment as Manchester United manager.
Walter Smith was assistant at United at the end of the 03/04 season, where the legendary footballing figure plugged the gap following Carlos Queiroz’s exit to Real Madrid.
During his time at the club the Red Devils successfully won the FA Cup, beating Millwall 3-0 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Sir Alex has also previously paid tribute to his close friend in the hours after his passing last week.
Man United legend Sir Alex pays tribute to “great friend” Walter Smith
“I am absolutely devastated,” said Sir Alex [Man United].
“Walter was a special person. He fought his illness with great courage.
“He was a great friend of mine for years and years, I had him as my assistant at United in 2004 and he was also my assistant when Scotland went to the World Cup in 1986.
“In all that time you were dealing with a man with great moral compass in how he lived his life and the friendship he offered so many people.
“His contribution to football with Dundee United, Rangers, Scotland, Everton and Man United was immense.
“He was only at United a short time. But he was fantastic.
“I lost Carlos Queiroz to Real Madrid and I knew I needed an assistant so I phoned Walter about it and he came for six months and helped us win the FA Cup against Millwall.
“He had a wonderful connection with people because he was a great listener, that was one of his greatest qualities.
“He listened and showed an interest in people and helped everyone he could. It’s such a loss to the game and to everyone that knew him.
“I send my sincere condolences to his wife Ethel and his two sons Neil and Steven. I’ll miss him greatly.”
Unfortunately for Walter and Sir Alex, Man United couldn’t defeat Man City on the day as they fell to a 2-0 Old Trafford defeat to their nearest geographical rivals.
The result leaves City 2nd in the Premier League, three points off leaders Chelsea, whilst the pressure is mounting on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with United 5th, nine points off the top.
Rangers have also previously announced plans for a special Glasgow Cathedral memorial for Walter Smith set to take place at the end of November.
